Leicester scout group gets backing from Persimmon

A Leicestershire scout group that helps children and young adults reach their full potential has received a cash boost from North Midlands as part of its Community Champions scheme.

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

The 1st Fleckney Scout Group currently supports more than 70 young people from the local area and gives them the opportunity to have fun while developing skills they need to make a positive contribution to society.

James Ward MBE, Group Executive Chairman, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic news to be recognised by Persimmon Homes with this generous donation.

“We’ve been trying to raise funds to increase the amount of outdoor equipment available for the Scouts in Fleckney but for obvious reasons that’s been difficult recently.

“This money will go towards purchasing some new tents with sewed in ground sheets to allow the whole group to camp out together using our own equipment, something that has not been possible until now.

“Current Covid restrictions mean that most of our activity is currently taking place outdoors and this has had an impact of the stock of our outdoor equipment such as tents, camping stoves and fire pits.

“We are now at the point where most of our kit needs both renewing and increasing in volume to be able to keep up with the number of new recruits we’re taking on board.

“This grant from Persimmon Homes will go a long way towards fixing that and help us continue to grow in 2022.”

Nadine O'Dowd, sales director at Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “It gives me great pleasure to get behind the 1st Fleckney Scout Group with our Community Champions funding this month.

“Young people in the local area are able to take part in an exciting programme of activities from kayaking to camping which helps build essential character skills like resilience, initiative and leadership.

“It sounds as though they have quite a lengthy waiting list so hopefully this cash boost will be enable them to buy the equipment they need to expand and help even more youngsters in years to come.”