Devon gym head over heels after donation

A Willand sports club is set to introduce more youngsters to gymnastics, weightlifting and athletics thanks to a donation from a leading UK housebuilder.

Excelsior Athletic Development Club received £1,000 from Persimmon Homes South West as part of the firm’s Community Champion initiative, which sees a pot of £24,000 donated to local groups and charities each year.

The club has 32 gymnasts aged from five to 10 and will use the donation to invest in new gymnastics mats.

James Marshall, head coach at Excelsior Athletic Development Club, said: “We are thrilled to be receiving this generous donation from Persimmon Homes South West.

“Our club contributes to athletic development through a range of activities, and with this donation we will be able to purchase a new portable air mat for our freestyle gymnastics sessions.

“This means we will be able to offer more classes and also move to a bigger venue. It is a really exciting time for the club as freestyle gym is very popular with teenage boys who traditionally have avoided gymnastics.”

James and the team have already raised over £3,400 through a combination of gymnastic displays, local council funds, raffles and bag packing in supermarkets.

Nina Hester, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes South West, said: “It is our pleasure to award Excelsior Athletic Development Club with a donation that is sure to benefit their members.

“Persimmon Homes South West has had a fantastic response to its Community Champions scheme and it is always a difficult choice.

“If people were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion.”

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