YORK housebuilder Persimmon has launched a £24,000 community fund to support local groups and charities across Yorkshire as part of a move to donate £750,000 to good causes nationally.

Persimmon Homes Yorkshire is launching Persimmon Community Champions, part of 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.

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

He said: "This is an extremely exciting venture 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.

"Nationally, every one of our regional businesses has two grants of up to £1,000 each to give away every month."

Persimmon, which is headquartered in Fulford, is set for further growth this year after legally completing 13,509 new homes last year.

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

Mr Usher added: "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."

To apply for funding, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.