A charity in Derby that enables disabled children and young adults to realise their full potential has been given a £1,000 boost by us.

Umbrella empowers parents and carers, supporting them in their care of their disabled child or young adult. The charity has been handed the grant from our North Midlands region as part of our re-launched Building Futures campaign, which runs until August and which will deliver more £1m to good causes this year.

Wayne Cook, from the charity, said: “We’re delighted to receive this donation from Persimmon Homes, it couldn’t have come at a better time for us. We’re looking to buy more sports and activity equipment for our nine youth clubs and two sibling groups that run across the southern half of Derbyshire. We provide exciting, stimulating activities which encourage the development of skills, whilst having fun; giving disabled children and young adults opportunities that non-disabled children take for granted. Research shows that 80% of people with a disability don’t do enough physical activity to benefit their health so this is something we’re looking to do more of.”

Umbrella has grown from a family information service at Derby Children’s hospital in 1986 and now aims to raise at least £50,000 each year to continue providing its vital support. Wayne added: “All of our youth clubs are funded through small grants and our own community fundraising which has been particularly difficult over the last 18 months. Thanks to donations like the one we’ve just received from Persimmon, we’re proud to be able to help over 700 children with a wide range of disabilities.”

Building Futures aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health, and sport. A total of 128 grants of £1,000 will be awarded across Persimmon’s 32 regional businesses to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects. Three initiatives will go on to win £100,000 each through a national online public vote. The winners will be named at a gala dinner for finalists in November.

In each sector – education & arts, health, and sport – as well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Nadine O'Dowd, sales director at North Midlands, said: “When we heard about the amazing work that Umbrella Derby and Derbyshire does in the local community, it was an easy decision to award them this £1,000 donation. It’s truly inspiring to hear all the stories from the staff and volunteers and we believe they deserve a lot of recognition for all the hard work they put in on a daily basis. We really hope the additional money will help transform the lives of disabled children, young people and their families in the area after such a difficult year.”

For more information visit the website.