The Hollywood Director behind blockbuster films We Bought a Zoo, Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, has become the first patron of the Dartmoor Zoological Society charity.
Cameron Crowe, the Director behind We Bought a Zoo which is based on zoo founder Benjamin Mee’s book of the same name, has pledged to support the charity with the use of his name, after taking a key interest in the zoo’s conservation work.
Cameron’s patronage will help the Dartmoor Zoological Society charity continue its vital work. Its mission is to provide a future where no animal species faces extinction...
A Devon charity offering disadvantaged children a taste of life on the farm has been handed £1,000 to support its work.
Farms for City Children, which was founded by author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare in 1976, has been awarded the donation from Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champions fund, which sees two regional worthy causes awarded up to £1,000 each month.
Lisa Long, for the charity based in Huxham, near Exeter, said: “We provide residential breaks for young people at one of our three working farms. Children and their teachers live and work at the farms...
A leading 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 West 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 the region with two donations of up to £1,000 made locally every month.
However, as the nation began to feel the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak, the housebuilder refocused its efforts and supported elderly communities in...
A popular project to promote friendship, wellbeing and good mental health for older men has been awarded £1,000 from a leading builder’s Community Champions fund.
Bideford Men’s Shed project has been handed £1,000 from Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champions fund to help fund more tools for the project which sees members make and mend items for the local community.
Brian Hopkins, who made the successful funding application, said: “Bideford Men’s Shed is a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending and about...
A charity supporting older people and helping them receive groceries and essential medication has been awarded £1,000 from a regional builder’s charity fund.
Age UK Exeter has been handed the funds by Persimmon Homes South West to help fund the doorstep delivery service and befriending project for older people in the city as its Community Champions scheme looks to assist the over 70s during Covid-19.
Martyn Rogers, for the charity, based in Cowick Street, Exeter, said: “Since the lockdown we have had to close all our group based activities and concentrate on providing...
A regional housebuilder has helped a local hospice meet the cost of maintaining its highest hygiene standards and protecting patients by naming it a Community Champion and awarding £1,000.
Hospiscare, which provides specialist palliative care to communities in Exeter, Mid and East Devon, each year supporting more than 2,000 patients was recognised by Persimmon Homes South West and its Community Champions scheme.
Carey Mckenzie, for Hospiscare, said: “Our ward patients are very poorly, and one of the fundamental requirements of good care is impeccable hygiene and infection...
The TAAG Community Centre was created from a derelict commercial garage 10 years ago and since then has been serving the local community with arts and well-being workshops, galleries and related facilities.
The Council planned to demolish it as part of their development plans but strong local support led to the building being offered to TAAG to buy.
This was agreed and fundraising was progressing well with half of the estimated £200k needed raised by the middle of March. Then the pandemic restrictions hit and all our fundraising stopped. As a result, we have had to switch...
A family of five has found its “forever” home after their lives were rocked by a life-changing accident which left their eldest son in need of extra care.
The Coe family, from Exeter were struggling to find a home to accommodate all their needs after son Tom suffered a devastating brain injury after being knocked down by a car in 2015 – but with the help of local developer Charles Church they have found the perfect solution.
The family have moved into a five-bedroom detached house in Great Woodcote Park and Tom, now 27, has own two-bedroom home in an annexe – allowing him...
A Devon football club catering for youngsters of all abilities aged from under-8s to under-15s has been handed a cash award to help meet costs.
Ugborough FC, based in Ivybridge, trains youngsters from four to 18 and encourages them to take part in physical activity for the benefit of their health, regardless of their ability.
The club has been named a Community Champion by Persimmon Homes South West and awarded £1,000 which will go towards buying kit and paying rent for training.
Stafford Williams for Ugborough FC, said: “We are only a small club, running four teams...
Members of a volunteer search and rescue team have been handed £1,000 to help fund vital kit needed to carry out water rescues.
Exmoor Search and Rescue Team based in South Molton, Devon, has been handed the cash through Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champions scheme.
Treasurer Derrick Reid explained: “As a team that cares about its community we have increased our skill set into water rescue primarily in flooding and swift water scenarios. However, working in these harsh environments has an impact on equipment. We are therefore looking to replace a number of our...
