Persimmon Homes Yorkshire supports Harrogate Girlguiding new activity centre

A Girlguiding activity centre in Harrogate has received a cash boost from a housebuilder for the internal fit-out of its new premises.

The Brag Crag Centre, which is owned by Girlguiding North Yorkshire West, was awarded £1,000 from Persimmon Homes Yorkshire through its Community Champions project.

The new training, activity and residential centre is under construction after the 50-year-old former building had to be demolished due to safety reasons. The Persimmon Homes donation will go towards the cost of new furniture and internal finishes and decoration.

Sue Mackay, lead volunteer at Girlguiding North Yorkshire West, said: “The redevelopment of the Brag Crag Centre is a major, yet essential, project for the organisation.

“The centre is home to Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers on a weekly basis, as well as a residential facility for sleepovers and weekend and day events it is also a training venue for Leaders and Helpers. The new purpose-built centre will include a merchandise shop and enable us to offer the facility to the wider community.

“Our current fundraising focus is on the interior fit-out of the building. We have achieved more than 70 per cent of our target so we were delighted to receive Persimmon Homes’ support. We are very grateful.”

Tim Nixon, head of sales for Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “Community Champions is all about supporting the communities in which we are building. The Brag Crag Centre has, and will be, providing an excellent new facility that will benefit the wider community, so we were delighted to contribute to their fundraising efforts.

“Picking our two monthly winners is always a difficult task, but we would encourage any good cause from across South Yorkshire to get in touch with an application.”

The Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative invites groups and charities who have already worked hard to raise money themselves to apply for match-funding of up to £1,000 by completing an online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.