Builder gives schoolchildren taste for the outdoors

Children at a school in Plymouth will be given lessons in growing vegetables and improving the ecology thanks to a donation from a leading house builder.

Pilgrim Primary School has bagged a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes South West to improve outdoor learning for the pupils.

The school is hoping to buy polytunnels to grow vegetables, a water butt and a composter.

They also need to add markings to the playground for the Early Years and KS1 children.

Teacher Simon Mantell, who made the application for funding, said: “We’re really grateful to Persimmon Homes for their tremendous donation.

“We are keen to keep improving and modifying our lessons and we’re delighted that we’ll now be able to do more things with the children outside.

“It’s great to see a local business getting involved with the community.”

The donation comes as part of Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champions scheme.

Persimmon Homes South West is committed to donating up to £1,000 each to two charities in the south west each month.

Nationwide, the company will donate a total of £750,000 over the course of 12 months.

Nina Hester, sales and marketing director at Persimmon Homes South West, said: “Community Champions has given us a perfect way to support groups and good causes in the areas in which we are working.

“We hope the children really enjoy learning about the environment and ecology with their new equipment.”

Groups and charities can visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity to apply for funding.

Persimmon currently has a wide range of houses available in Plymouth at Saltram Meadow and Palmerston Heights, with prices from £165,999.

For further details, visit www.persimmonhomes.com