Persimmon Homes has awarded more than £1million to groups supporting people under-18 as part of the housebuilder’s Building Futures campaign.

Three top prizes of £100,000 were handed out to the overall winners in each category – sport, health and educations & arts – while the three second place runners-up received £50,000 each, and three third place finishers scooped £20,000.

A total of 96 organisations were shortlisted and the winners were decided by a public vote, which attracted more than 200,000 votes.

The remaining 87 finalists which did not win one of the main prizes each received £5,000 to help with their work.

Group CEO Dean Finch said: “Building Futures has been a hugely successful campaign and has given us the opportunity to recognise some amazing organisations across the UK that do such valuable work with young people.

“The pandemic has put a huge strain on the finances of charities and volunteer-led groups so these awards will make a tremendous difference to the work they are able to do and the lives of thousands of young people. It’s a real privilege to be able to support them in this way – and a huge congratulations to our big winners.”

With £128,000 already awarded this year in £1,000 grants through Building Futures, the total prize pot was £1.073million.

The Persimmon Charitable Foundation and Team GB athletes Dani Rowe and Karen Bennett, selected the finalists after more than 2,500 clubs, groups and organisations entered the Building Futures competition.

The top £100,000 prizes went to Wotton Community Sports Foundation for sport, The Children''s Hospital Charity for health and Change of Scene for education & arts.

The second prize of £50,000 went to Great Melton Cricket Club for sport, Warren Association Trust won for education & arts, and Senses Wellbeing Centre C.I.C for health.

Newcastle Powerchair Football Club scooped £20,000 for sport in third place, Sandwell Young Carers won the education & arts award and Islastones Foundation was handed the health award.

While Building Futures 2021 has concluded, Persimmon continues to give away up to £64,000 every month through its Community Champions scheme. Applications for funding can be made at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity