Club jumping for joy after North Midlands region donation

A multi-disciplinary athletics club in Leicestershire has received a cash boost thanks to our North Midlands region.

North Midlands region has awarded Ivanhoe Robins Junior Athletics Club a £1,000 grant as they continue to help local groups and charities in the area.

Persimmon donates up to £64,000 a month to fund initiatives as part of the highly successful Community Champions scheme.

Rob Tipper, from the club, said: “We encourage children to engage in athletics, building a lifelong love of sport and currently we have almost 150 members training with us each week.

“The club is dedicated to being accessible and our fees are kept low to ensure that even those from disadvantaged backgrounds can access the club. Our ethos is to provide safe and fun training facilities while encouraging athletes to challenge themselves.

“The club is run entirely by volunteers, and we require additional funding to replace ageing sports equipment and ensure that all equipment is safe, functional and up to date to give the athletes the best experience.

“We have previously raised money through local company sponsorship and have also carried out car washes and cake sales but this £1,000 from Persimmon Homes is a massive boost for everyone at the club.”

Nadine O'Dowd, sales director at North Midlands region, said: “We’re excited to have chosen Ivanhoe Robins Junior Athletics Club to receive our £1,000 Community Champions donation this month.

“Athletes learn various disciplines in track and field, and we believe sport in general has multiple benefits for children, so this is something we’re always looking to get involved in.

“Hopefully this additional £1,000 grant will help more local children get active and pursue a career in athletics, and you never know we might see an Olympic gold medallist from The Robins one day.”

For more information visit and to apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.