Severn Valley region at Persimmon Homes in Bridgwater has backed the local Member of Parliament’s campaign to boost reading among children in the constituency for the second year running.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley presented the £2,000 cheque to Sir Ashley Fox MP at Sydenham Community Centre as part of his efforts to put more books in the hands of young people. They were joined by local councillor and Sydenham Community Centre trustee Diogo Rodrigues. 

The Read2Succeed campaign is an initiative launched by Sir Ashley Fox MP to encourage children to read over the summer holidays, in support of Somerset Libraries' Summer Reading Challenge.

Last year the campaign provided free books to every Year 4 pupil at Bridgwater College Academy Primary, Churchfield Primary, and Hamp Academy and Northgate School.

Following the success of the first year and thanks to additional support, the campaign is being expanded in 2026 to reach even more schools and children across the Bridgwater constituency.

Each participating pupil will receive a free book to keep, helping to encourage reading for pleasure and supporting literacy outside the classroom during the summer break, with the books sourced from local independent Usborne Partner, Believe in Books.

The accredited five-star developer donates £700,000 each year on good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain as part of its Community Champions programme. Recent local recipients include the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, Children's Hospice South West, Kingsmoor Primary School, and Kingsdown Knights FC U18s.

Persimmon recently completed its site in Bridgwater but also has homes for sale at Tor View in Castle Cary and Haywood Village in Weston-super-Mare. Two, three, and four-bed homes are available at both sites from £250,000.

Sir Ashley Fox MP – Member of Parliament for Bridgwater – said:

“Strong reading skills give young people the confidence and tools they need to succeed in life. I'm delighted to be launching Read2Succeed for a second year and grateful to Persimmon Homes for supporting the campaign once again.

“Every book donated is an investment in a child's future, and I hope this year's campaign encourages even more young people to discover the enjoyment of reading.”

Cllr Diogo Rodrigues – Somerset Councillor for Bridgwater East & Bawdrip and Trustee at Sydenham Community Centre - added:

“I'm pleased that Sydenham Community Centre is once again supporting this initiative and grateful to Persimmon Homes for their backing. It's a great example of organisations working together to create opportunities for young people in our community."

Carly Spear – Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Sales Director – commented:

“Persimmon is very pleased to once again be supporting Sir Ashley’s campaign to increase reading and improve access to books for young people in Bridgwater.

“Our Community Champions programme is meant to be used to support local initiatives that help make an area a great place to live and this scheme certainly meets those goals.”