A PERSHORE charity which manages and improves the navigation on the River Avon through Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire has received a £1,000 donation from a South Midlands housebuilder.
Avon Navigation Trust received the donation from Persimmon Homes South Midlands as part of the housing firm’s Community Champions scheme.
The scheme began in 2015 allowing charities and groups to apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves. Nationally Persimmon Homes has donated more than £1million.
The charity looks after the River Avon from Stratford-upon-Avon to Tewkesbury and is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Alex Mellor, Projects Development Manager, at Avon Navigation Trust, said: “ANT has a long history of maintaining this spectacular and much loved natural resource.
“Recently, we’ve started focusing much more on the wider range of recreational opportunities that the river presents to the community, such as canoe trails and better access to boating.”
Established in 1965, the charity now boasts 265 ANT volunteers with 60 being regularly active.
Alex added: “We’d like to thank Persimmon Homes South Midlands for their kind contribution.
“Whether it’s a canoeist volunteering to maintain canoe trails, a retired person operating a lock or families helping at events, we rely heavily on the outstanding work these Community Champions provide.”
The funds are due to spent on training volunteers, maintaining equipment and supplying staff with the relevant supplies.
Carol Selway, sales director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “It’s thanks to the hard work of volunteers at the Avon Navigation Trust that we still get to enjoy the canals and waterways throughout Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
“These waterways hold historic significance to the area so it’s encouraging to see them being used regularly.
“We hope this donation will help to boost the services ANT provide.”
