Developer donates to youth cancer charity

One of the South West’s biggest housebuilders has shown its support for a local charity in Newton Abbot that helps children and young adults with cancer and debilitating diseases with a £2,000 donation.

Persimmon Homes South West gave the money to the Dan Payne Memorial Fund earlier this month as part of its Community Champions scheme, at an event thrown by the fund, which was started by Dan’s parents after he lost his life to cancer at 19 years of age.

Whilst Dan’s family is more used to selling homemade items made of wood, wool, and fabric to fundraise at events, this black tie dance event – commemorating 10 years since Dan’s passing – made just shy of £10,000 before taking Persimmon’s donation into account.

The five-star developer’s Community Champions donation comes as part of a programme that sees it give £700,000 each year to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain. Recent local recipients include the Newton Abbot Museum and Dawlish Swimming Club.

Persimmon recently sold their final plots at Bradley Barton View in Newton Abbot, but more high-quality homes will become available in the area in the coming months after construction commenced at its Kings Meadow site in Kingskerswell on the outskirts of the town.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes South West Sales Director Stacey Harris said:

“It is a privilege to be in a position to use Persimmon’s Community Champions initiative to donate money to small, worthy charities like the Dan Payne Memorial Fund.

“They do fantastic work in Dan’s name, supporting children and young people during difficult times when they have a serious illness, so it is something we were proud to support.

“As a company that is developing in Newton About, we feel it is important to support causes and organisations in the area through our charitable scheme as we aim to leave a positive and lasting legacy here.”

Stephen Payne from the Dan Payne Memorial Fund added:

“We’re very grateful to Persimmon for the generous donation, which helped us break the £10,000 milestone on the night of our event.

“Great fun was had by all who attended as we commemorated Dan’s life and the inspiration he gave us to help others in his name.

“These funds will go a long way to helping those people we support with much-needed equipment and respite.”