HOUSEBUILDER Persimmon Homes has launched a £24,000 community fund to support groups and charities in Somerset.

Persimmon Community Champions is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves.

Nationwide the company will donate a total of £750,000.

Simon Perks, managing director of Persimmon Homes South West, said the community initiative was a way of supporting people across every city, town and village where the company works.

He added: “This is an extremely proud day for the whole business.

“We have always supported charities but we have never come together with such a large pot of money.

“We hope that our funding of £24,000 can make a huge difference across every community.”

To apply complete an online form.

Persimmon is calling on groups and charities to apply for funding, with the first grants being issued this month.

Mr Perks said: “We want to hear from all types of groups and charities.

“You may be a small scout group looking for funding for a trip, a school PTA looking to create a vegetable patch or a community swimming club looking to offer further classes to the local community.

“We want to hear from everyone as we’re determined to invest our money where it will help the most.

“All we ask is that the group or charity has already worked hard to raise money themselves, and we will then match this effort with funding of up to £1,000.”