A voluntary sports club which aims to increase participation in hockey and improve standards played at all levels has been handed a major boost thanks to Persimmon Homes.

Shrewsbury Hockey Club has received a £1,000 donation from West Midlands as part of its Community Champions scheme.

We makes £64,000 a month available to fund local community initiatives across the UK.

With a rich history spanning over 130 years, Shrewsbury Hockey Club now has 20 competitive teams with ages ranging from five through to 75. 

With a thriving youth section at the heart of what it does, the club is now looking to secure its future and build on recent success with several players progressing through the ranks to successfully play at high levels.

Andy Howitt, from the club, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this £1,000 from Persimmon Homes and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity.

“The global pandemic has hit sporting communities hard across the UK and financially we have all been impacted reducing income and opportunities to fundraise for essential funds for clubs to operate. 

“We use an artificial turf pitch (ATP) belonging to Meole Brace Community School and operated by Shropshire Council Leisure. The ATP has reached the end of its life and needs to be refurbished at an estimated cost of £280,000.

“We’ve been working closely with the school and the council on a plan and funding strategy for the pitch refurbishment to be undertaken next summer. This is the biggest investment in the clubs history and our target is to raise £28,000 as a financial contribution to the project by the end of February 2022.

“This donation from Persimmon has really boosted our total and will help us achieve the greater security and certainty we strive for over the next 15 years. Anyone else who is interested in supporting Shrewsbury Hockey Club with this project can do so through our recently launched Crowdfunder appeal at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/astro-turf-replacement---shrewsbury-hockey-club.”

David Greengrass, head of sales for West Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with the fundraising campaign organised by Shrewsbury Hockey Club.

“The whole team is extremely passionate about growing and developing hockey players for the future, as well as giving members a place to learn about teamwork, leadership, fairness and a whole host of life skills provided by grassroots sports. 

“Mental health has never been more prominent and with players of all ages, genders and backgrounds returning to sport in our local communities, we hope this funding will improve the facilities for people to boost their physical and mental wellbeing”.

For more information visit www.persimmonhomes.com, or to apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.