Plumbers heading to Africa thanks to developer donation

One of the builders behind the major Valley Park development in Didcot has donated £1,000 to a programme that sends plumbers to install infrastructure in Africa.

Persimmon Homes Wessex handed over the cheque to Renelec apprentice Harry, 23 – one of four who are heading to Tanzania this month as part of a Projects Abroad scheme – at the development’s Charles Church outlet just ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.

Harry and the other successful applicants will be plumbing toilets at a local daycare school, digging trenches, and laying water pipes to improve sanitation and access to clean water, as well as engaging with children, teaching basic English, and playing sports to support their development.

Renelec – who are providing the plumbing works for Persimmon at Valley Park – is working with Projects Abroad, the global leader in organising volunteer and internship placements in the developing world. Since its founding, Projects Abroad has empowered over 135,000 participants across 23 countries.

Once complete, Valley Park will provide 4,254 homes, two primary schools, a SEN school, local centres, and sports facilities – creating a sustainable, well-connected community for the Oxfordshire town.

All Persimmon properties – including the homes awarded to registered housing providers – will be equipped with sustainable features including air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, and solar panels.

The accredited five-star housebuilder currently has homes available to purchase on the open market at Valley Park, available from £216,995. Its sister company, Charles Church, also has premium homes for sale on its outlet from £384,995.

Persimmon Homes Wessex Sales Director Pauline Fletcher said:

“We are delighted to have been able to give some apprentices a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do some good deeds in a part of the world that will really benefit from it.

“Persimmon is proud to work with Renelec at our popular Valley Park site and we wanted lend a helping hand to their hard-working, young cohort through this brilliant initiative, especially with National Apprenticeship Week around the corner.”

John Skeen, Managing Director of Renelec, added:

“This sponsorship will contribute directly to creating a long-term, sustainable impact abroad while investing in the growth of local talent here at home, so I want to give a big thank you to Persimmon for their help.

“Renelec is a proud partner of Projects Abroad and hopes to secure funding to be able to send a group of Apprentices every year”

Harry commented: 

“The experience will not only contribute meaningfully to the community in Tanzania but also provide invaluable personal and professional development for me and the other apprentices joining the trip. We are incredibly grateful for the support Persimmon and others have provided to make this happen.”