A charity which provides training opportunities in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan and an Abergavenny school are the latest good causes in South Wales to receive the backing of a major housebuilder.

ValePlus (Cymru) & ValePlus Extra and Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School have received £1,000 each from the Llantrisant regional office of Persimmon Homes through the business’ Community Champions scheme.

Across the UK Persimmon awards 64 grants of up to £1,000 each month – a total of up to £768,000 a year.

ValePlus (Cymru) & ValePlus Extra, based on Barry High Street, is fundraising to cover increased costs brought about due to coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School, has seen its usual fundraising activities wiped out.

Mark Mitchell, of ValePlus (Cymru) & ValePlus Extra, said: “We’re thrilled to receive this generous funding from Persimmon Homes.

“Our charity provides training and social opportunities for adults with additional learning needs in the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan area. Supporting 64 adults, we have four centres - a cafe which teaches catering skills, a charity shop which teaches retail skills and two general centres which cover a range of topics, such as arts and crafts, computers, cookery, literacy, numeracy, alongside exercise and general health and wellbeing.

“The restrictions have changed how we work, with provision moving to a remote online format, which has increased our running costs. This donation is a huge help.”

Jordanne McCarthy, of Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School PTA, said: “It’s great that Persimmon has chosen to support us like this.

“We are the smallest school in Monmouthshire. The coronavirus has hit us hard and we have been unable to do any fundraising this year. Consequently, the school is in need of many educational items. This is a tremendous help.”

Victoria Williams, sales director at Persimmon Homes East Wales, said: “In East Wales alone in 2020 we donated £22,291 to charities and good causes. It’s brilliant that we are able to support the areas in which we are building.

“The scheme remains open in 2021 and we look forward to helping more worthy organisations.”

Persimmon is currently selling stunning new-build homes in Barry at Haven Point and in Abergavenny at Willow Court.