A schoolboy speedway star from Devon has roared away with a share of funding from Persimmon Homes as he gears up to ride 500cc bikes from his 15th birthday in May.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall has donated £1,000 from our Community Champions fund to support 14-year-old Ben Trigger as he competes in speedway events, progressing from the 125cc bikes to the full-size machines.

Ben, from Plympton, has an excellent record having been the top rider in his category in the south west and one of the top in Britain and has also notched up rankings in the 125cc track racing gold cup in Poland, podium-place finishes at two international events in Belgium as well as finishing a very credible seventh out of 24 in the 125cc European final held in Pilsen, Czech Republic in August 2020.

But when he turns 15 Ben, who will compete in the 2021 Northern Junior League (NJL) with the Newcastle Sapphires, will be eligible to ride the full-size machines.

He said: “My dad, Lee, needs to buy parts and build me a competitive race bike to give me the very best possible chance I also need to raise funds to help with the high running costs to compete at this level.

“On January 1 dad and I started an 800 mile cycle challenge to raise money for my racing, with also the added bonus of getting myself in good physical shape for this important year ahead.

“I decided on the distance 800 mile because that is the distance from my home town speedway club the Plymouth Gladiators to the Speedway club i have signed for in the 2021 Northern Junior League (NJL) the Newcastle Sapphires and back home again.

“This meant we had to ride at least 15 miles a day each, every day for 28 days. We successfully completed the challenge on January 28.

“This generous donation of £1,000 from Persimmon Homes Cornwall will make a huge difference to our ambitions.”

Jane Cartwright, head of sales for Persimmon Homes Cornwall, said: “Ben has been making the headlines for his success at speedway and we are delighted to be able to support a local lad who is achieving so much at such a young age.

“He clearly has focus and a drive to be the best he can and it is obvious his family and friends are incredibly supportive and proud of his achievements.”

Each month Persimmon Homes donates up to £2,000 to community groups in each of its 32 business operating areas.

This means up to £64,000 is handed out every month – a total of £768,000 a year, and more than £2million since the scheme started in 2015.

Visit persimmonhomes.com/charity to apply for funding.