A volunteer-run charity in Halifax welcomes a £1,000 donation from West Yorkshire region.

Calderdale Lighthouse has received the donation after making an application for funding to Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme.

Founded in 2018, the charity supplies local vulnerable and disadvantaged families with baby equipment and essential items alongside providing other vital things such as clothing and shoes for newborns to teens, bedding, toiletries, toys and books.

The service, which is free to use, relies on item donations from the general public and is accessed through third-party referrals from professional practitioners and agencies to ensure the items go to those most in need.

The £1,000 donation will be used to create the charity’s ‘Mum bags’ for new mothers who are rushed into hospital to have their baby in an emergency situation or for mums who can’t afford basic items. The packs include the necessary items for new mothers, such as pyjamas, toiletries and baby essentials, such as nappies and clothing.

Persimmon has donated over £1.5 million to charities, community groups and local organisations nationwide via its Community Champions scheme over the last two years. Donations of up to £6,000 are available to local community and charitable groups every quarter, with applications received via the Community Champions website.

Diane Barker from Calderdale Lighthouse said: “Thank you so very much to Persimmon for this grant, it will make such a huge difference to the mums as they go into hospital. It will take the worries away about what they need as they welcome their babies, into the world. How fantastic is that?”

Christopher Hull, Managing Director, Persimmon West Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to support the volunteers at Calderdale Lighthouse with their work to improve people’s lives in and around Halifax.

“At Persimmon, it’s about more than just houses; to us, it is about creating communities. It’s always pleasing to support local charities and meaningful causes through our Community Champions scheme.”

Persimmon is rated 5 stars for customer satisfaction by the independent House Builder’s Federation and has ten developments in the West Yorkshire region.