The Baldwin Trust has been handed with £1,000 by a regional housebuilder to support its community narrowboat cruises

The charity, run by 62 volunteers and operating two specially adapted narrowboats, which cruise along Leicestershire’s waterways, received the £1,000 from Persimmon Homes North Midlands as part of its Community Champions funding scheme.

Suitable for wheelchair users, those with mobility issues, health and wellbeing issues, special educational needs, the aged, vulnerable, isolated and lonely, the narrow boats provide a safe place for both educational and recreational trips.

A spokesperson for the charity, said: “We are delighted and very grateful to have been selected as one of the winners of Persimmon Homes’ Community Champion initiative and this will be very helpful towards our cause and helping us to raise awareness of our adapted narrowboat cruises, suitable for wheelchair passengers and those with limited mobility.

“Our cruises are run by dedicated volunteers and we want more people in the community to enjoy a relaxing volunteer run cruise along the local waterways – great for helping with mental health, wellbeing and targeting isolation and loneliness.

“Like many charities, Covid-19 has impacted our fundraising and services, so this donation comes at a really good time for us.”

Persimmon Homes Community Champion regionally donates up to £2,000 to local worthy causes every month.

Nadine O’Dowd, sales director at Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to hand this funding over to The Baldwin Trust, who provide such a fantastic community service for the residents of Leicestershire.”

For more information about Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions scheme, or to apply, visit: www.persimmonhomes.com.