Regional housebuilder Persimmon Homes North West has shortlisted three groups supporting under-18s to go forward for a chance to win up to £100,000 through its Building Futures campaign.
The groups have been selected from three categories targeting grassroots sports groups, health organisations and arts & education projects.
Wargrave House School will represent the arts & education category at the national final, Queensway Amateur Boxing Club has been selected to represent sport and Stable Lives which provide respite days using horses and ponies heads up the health category.
Mark Cook, managing director of Persimmon Homes North West, said: “Building Futures aims to create a lasting legacy for young people and the groups that support them.
“We have been overwhelmed by the response and it is clear there are a lot of very worthy causes supporting the younger generation and a lot of people working exceptionally hard to help them.
“We wish all three of our regional finalists the very best of luck and would urge people to show their support by voting for them at www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/ .”
Building Futures is being delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, which last year donated £620,000 to support children’s sport. A total of 128 grants of £1,000 have been awarded across Persimmon’s 31 regional businesses and its head office this year.
Persimmon Homes is an official partner of Team GB and the Persimmon Charitable Foundation enlisted the help of medallists Kat Copeland and Callum Skinner to help determine the three regional finalists for each business division.
One initiative from each of the three categories will go on to win £100,000 through a national award scheme to be decided by a public vote.
As well as the £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize in each sector, while the remaining 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.
Wargrave House in Newton-le-Willows is a residential special school for children with autistic spectrum disorder where Rebound Therapy is used as a form of therapy. Carried out on a trampoline it is proven to have huge benefits to autistic children, improving their balance, co-ordination, listening skills, physical and mental health. The school would like to install a sunken-trampoline in its gym floor.
Queensway Amateur Boxing Club meets at the Full Contact Performance Centre in Rochdale and runs junior classes with the aim of building self-confidence, instilling discipline & determination. One of the top prizes would allow ABC to upgrade basic facilities at the club like changing rooms, showers and toilets, while also funding the essential kit needed to provide a safe environment.
Stable Lives, based in Parbold, uses horses and ponies to provide respite days for young people affected by mental trauma either directly or through a family member. Respite involves fun, confidence building activities ranging from work with horses to den building and creative writing. One of the top prizes would allow them to set up new ground-breaking courses specifically for children. Similar courses have already proved successful in changing the lives of adults, building confidence, self-esteem and self-worth.
Online voting runs until midnight on 27 September. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at York Racecourse on Tuesday, October 8.
