Severn Valley donation strengthens Knights’ defence

A Bridgewater-based youth football team is the latest recipient of Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme.

Kingsdown Knights U18s FC secured a £3,000 donation from the Severn Valley regional business. The team will put the funds towards enhancing training opportunities for local young people and purchasing kits and equipment.

The U18s are a newly formed team, that were brought together only a few weeks before the start of the new season. This meant pulling in players from three different clubs, many of whom had never met or played together before.

Whilst moving from U16s to the U18s has been a big jump for the Knights, the players, aged 15-18, are getting stronger with each match and training session, with manager Andrew Staunton remarking that the quality has “improved five-fold” in the six months the players have been together.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley are currently constructing high-quality homes for local people at its Westminster Walk development in the town and its Chaucer’s Meadow site in North Petherton. Properties are for sale on both sites from £194,000 and £210,000, respectively.

Persimmon donates over £700,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations every year across the UK. Recent local recipients include St John’s Ambulance Taunton, Yatton RFC, and South West Children's Hospice.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley’s sales director, Carly Spear, said:

“Persimmon is always looking to leave a positive legacy in the areas in which we build, so along with building high quality homes for local people, we like to help out treasured organisations like Kingsdown Knights.

“That’s why we’re delighted to support its U18s team and promote the physical and mental wellbeing that comes from playing team sports, as well as the enjoyment that comes from watching them play.

“Our sites in Bridgwater and North Petherton – where properties are still available – will be homes for local families for generations to come and, I’m sure, will be a great source of future Kingsdown Knights youth players.”

Team manager Andrew Staunton added:

“We’re thrilled that our application to Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme was successful. When we started just before the season began, the Knights’ U18s had no kit or equipment but we all rallied around to ensure the team had exactly what was required.

“As a group we had always seen this as a two-to-three year project which, with the help of Persimmon, an amazing committee at the club, and the best parent support group a club could wish for, I am sure next year we will really push on.  

“Once again, we are grateful to Persimmon for their help and we look forward to welcoming new players from their developments in the years to come.”