WEYMOUTH Cricket Club have been bowled over by a large donation from one of the UK’s biggest housebuilding companies.

Persimmon Homes awarded the Seasiders £1,000 as part of their Community Champions scheme.

Under the initiative, each of Persimmon’s 31 businesses, plus the York head office, contributes up to £2,000 per month to local good causes, totalling £64,000 per year.

The 131-year-old club applied for the funds in order to help with running costs, which had put a strain on the club’s resources.

Persimmon’s logo will adorn the club’s new polo shirts, which the players will wear before and after matches in County Division One.

Weymouth chairman Simon Browne told Echosport: “It’s fantastic. I don’t think it’s been much of a secret that we’ve needed to get some funds into the club.

“We had a conversation not so long ago about trying to generate funds, then Covid hit and life became very difficult.

“We’ve approached a few companies about sponsorship and understandably in the current climate it’s been difficult.

“For Persimmon to come on board and supply money to us has been brilliant. We’re grateful for their support and maybe it won’t just be a one-off thing.

“It’ll help the club continue to grow.”

Explaining Weymouth’s financial condition, Browne added: “I don’t think we were in a position where we would fold the club.

“We were talking about what the financial situation was, how we would generate that money and whether it would come from members or sponsorship.

“We were getting to the point where we were perhaps trying to look within to raise some money for league fees, balls, equipment and the like.

“We’re not totally out of the woods yet, we’d love to be in a position where we have more money so we could provide even more facilities on the playing side of things.

“This has certainly helped and it’s been lovely to have that money roll in.”

Persimmon Homes construction director Paul Coombes said: “We’re delighted to help wherever we can and help local communities and sporting areas.

“Anything we can do to help, we’re happy to do it.

“I believe Community Champions was started three years ago by the previous chief executive David Jenkinson to give something back to communities.

“It was a brilliant idea and it goes up to the national awards as well, it’s a really good scheme.

“Everything across the board, every charity they will look at.”

Persimmon Homes managing director Matt Paine added: “Local sports clubs are a vital part of the communities in which we build, so we are proud to assist such a long-established and well-respected organisation as Weymouth Cricket Club.

“Our Community Champions scheme was set up to support the grassroots teams, small charities, schools and voluntary groups across our region.

“Any local organisation in need of funding can apply through a simple online form on the Persimmon Homes website.”

For more information on Persimmon’s Community Champions programme, visit: https://www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions