A charity supporting vulnerable women the South West has been gifted cash towards the cost of buying a vehicle.

Okehampton charity Gilead Foundations provides supported living accommodation on a farm for vulnerable women who have experienced domestic violence, addiction and homelessness and needs a vehicle so that its clients can reach appointments and work placements more easily.

Marketing manger Jo Drew explained: “Our aim is to not only provide safe housing but also to support the women through the therapy and skills training required leading to future employment and ultimately change their lives for the better.”

“We are raising funds for the purchase of a used vehicle to help transport our women to appointments, work placements, education and training. It will help to achieve the aim of getting people who are socially disadvantaged into work and training to help them reach their full potential.”

“We are delighted to have been selected as a Community Champion and will add this donation to our fund.”

Stacey Harris, sales director at Persimmon Homes South West, said: “This charity has a large impact on the lives of its clients and their families and we’re humbled to hand over £1,000 funding to the team, especially as it will be put to such good use.”

“Persimmon Homes South West has had a fantastic response to its Community Champions scheme and it is always a tricky task to pick our winners each month.”

“If applicants were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion. We are always keen to support the communities in which we build.”

Persimmon Homes national match-funding programme Community Champions seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life for local people.

Each month the Persimmon Homes South West donates up to £2,000 to community groups across the region. This also happens across Persimmon’s other operating areas, meaning up to £64,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £768,000 a year.

Organisations can apply for funding by completing a simple online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity