A Market Harborough-based group which promotes the benefits of repairing and upcycling old items to prevent waste has received a cash boost to continue their work in the community, thanks to Persimmon Homes.

Market Harborough Fixers received a £1,000 donation from the developer as part of its Community Champions initiative.

The group runs a voluntary repair café in the town, with over 1,100 members.  The group teaches its visitors how to repair and upcycle small household equipment, textiles, clothing, books, pictures, jewellery and toys in order to reduce landfill and promote a sustainable way of living. Since the group formed, they have held 78 weekly events with 147 volunteers giving a cumulative 1,053 hours of their time.

Steve Cousens at Market Harborough Fixers said: “We’re absolutely delighted by this kind donation from Persimmon Homes. Our goal is to promote the environmental benefits that reusing and fixing old items rather than throwing them away has, with our volunteers being the backbone of what we do. So far, we’ve prevented over 1,700kg of waste and saved over 1400kg of CO2 emissions – the same as driving for over 72,000 miles! Persimmon’s donation will allow us to continue our work in the town, promoting a sustainable way of life.”

Claire Dearsley, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes Midlands, added “We’re delighted to show our support to Market Harborough Fixers. What we do is about much more than just building homes, it’s about leaving a lasting positive legacy in the communities that we build in. We’re always delighted to help causes that have such a positive impact on our environment and encourage sustainability.”