Two Northumberland charities receive funding boost

Two Northumberland charities have welcomed donations from Persimmon.

Main image: Ashington Veterans and Elders: Stuart Grimes, Managing Director, Persimmon North East. Keith Green, Secretary, Ashington Veterans and Elders Institute. Cllr Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader at Northumberland County Council. 

Ashington Veterans and Elders Institute and Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association have each received £1,000 after applying for funding via Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council was on hand to present the donations alongside Stuart Grimes, Managing Director for Persimmon North East.

Based at Kirkley Hall, Morpeth RDA is committed to providing life-changing experiences for disabled children and adults through horse riding lessons. This new funding has been used to purchase a new set of riding hats, ensuring all riders are compliant with the most recent safety rules.

Ashington Veterans and Elders institute meanwhile provides a local space for the over 60s to socialise at their club in central Ashington equipped with snooker tables, dart board, meeting space and a recently revitalised garden. The institute has put the money towards a new paving area around their workshop, allowing safe and easy access for all members.

Image: Morpeth RDA: Stuart Grimes – Managing Director, Persimmon North East, Pauline Clegg, Secretary, Morpeth RDA. Jonathan Peters – Jones, Trustee, Morpeth RDA. Cllr Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader at Northumberland County Council.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “It is great to see this local engagement by Persimmon. Morpeth RDA and Ashington Veterans and Elders Institute are two fantastic local organisations with long and rich histories of community work. It is clear that funding from Persimmon has been put to great use and is highly valued.  

Keith Green, Secretary at Ashington Veterans and Elders Institute, said: “We have use of a workshop where our people meet twice a week. It was in need of upgrading inside and out as access to it was poor and needed to be made safe.

“Thanks to the grant we were awarded from Persimmon we've been able to lay down a secure paved patio and footpath from the car park, which means we've got safe access in all weathers. Our volunteers love it, and it's improved the look of the place too.”

Carole Peters-Jones, Joint Chairperson at Morpeth RDA, added: “We are exceedingly grateful to Persimmon who very generously donated enough funding to cover the cost of the new hats. Without the support and generosity of businesses such as Persimmon we would not be able to continue our very valuable work.”

Stuart Grimes, Managing Director at Persimmon North East, commented: “It was great to meet the dedicated teams of volunteers who run these two fantastic charities.

“Our Community Champions initiative aims to support those local charities and community groups who may struggle to raise funds from other sources so we’re always delighted to be able to support local charities in this way. “