Football club scores vital cash boost from Persimmon

A junior football club in Leicester has received £1,000 from Persimmon Homes North Midlands as part of its Community Champions scheme.

Persimmon makes £64,000 a month available to fund community initiatives across the UK.

Whetstone Juniors Football Club runs teams from under 6's through to under 17's as well as holding academies for children in the local area.

Its emphasis is to develop young players skills both on and off the pitch, encourage them to make new friends and most importantly have fun.

With the new season just around the corner, the additional funding will go a long way towards helping preparations ahead of the big kick off.

Lee Dundee, a coach at the club, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Persimmon Homes for helping us provide the necessary kit and equipment for the upcoming season.

“It’s great to give these kids some good news and help them participate and develop in the best way they can considering the time and opportunities that have been lost due to the pandemic.

“As a club we feel that being involved in a team environment where you work for one another and support one another, will only help and prepare our players become young adults in the future.

“Unfortunately, a lot of fun has been lost in recent months and as a team, one of our main values is to enjoy what you do so this donation will definitely give everyone a huge lift!”

Whetstone Juniors FC plays a big role in the local community and although fundraising has been difficult, it hasn’t stopped Lee and the team from staying positive.

He added: “In the past we’ve done small fundraising events such as walking to Wembley but obviously we’ve had to be self-funded by parents and local sponsors for a while now.

“It’s been a different and difficult period but throughout this we’ve just focused on providing a safe environment where our kids can come and feel like things are normal.

“It looks as though there’s some light at the end of the tunnel with restrictions being lifted so this £1,000 funding has come at a great time.”

Nadine O'Dowd, sales director at Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “Community Champions is all about funding local good causes across the UK and Whetstone Juniors FC is a great example of this.

“Lee is one of just three coaches who give up a lot of their free time to work with young people in our community, giving them opportunities to enjoy themselves and learn key life skills at the same time.

“It’s great to be able to reward all of their hard work and we wish them the very best of luck for the new season.”

To apply for Community Champions funding visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.