A SOUTH England housebuilder which has donated more than £300,000 to groups supporting people over 70 during the pandemic is re-opening its charity fund to all groups.

Persimmon Homes South Coast launched Community Champions in 2015 with a view to helping a wide range of community causes such as village halls, sports clubs, friendship groups and foodbanks across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire with two donations of up to £1,000 made locally every month.

However, this scheme was paused as the country went into lockdown, resulting in the company refocussing its efforts by supporting elderly communities in most need of support during the pandemic.

This change came into effect in April, resulting in more than 4,000 being received and £320,000 donated to 320 causes across the South Coast.

Now the company is reopening the scheme for all groups within the community once again.

Managing director of Persimmon Homes South Coast, Matt Paine said: "The effects of Covid-19 have been far reaching and all our communities have been affected, but a great deal of good has come out of adversity.

"It has been heart-warming to see how people have united and rallied together to help the most vulnerable people in our society, whether it has been providing practical help with shopping and prescriptions, to transport or emotional support and providing a friendly face at what has been a very lonely time.

"We are proud to have been able to lend our support to the over 70s by targeting our donations, but we feel the time is now right to open our Community Champions fund to all walks of life again."

To apply to Community Champions and make an online application, visit: www.persimmonhomes.com/charity