A PLAYGROUP in Stirling that provides early years education is set to put on a community sports day thanks to a donation from a leading UK housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes East Scotland selected St Ninians to receive the £1,000 donation as part of the housebuilder’s community champions initiative, which awards £2,000 each month to charities and communities groups in the area.

Community champions has seen almost £500,000 donated nationally this year.

As well as putting on a sports day, the group will also hire an Enjoy-a-Ball sports coach, letting children experiment with basic sports with child-friendly equipment.

Elaine Paterson, lead practitioner at St Ninians Playgroup, said: “To fund all the activities the children deserve it is impossible to raise enough without the generosity and help of outside partners.

“This is why being awarded £1,000 of funding from Persimmon Homes East Scotland is so important to St Ninians Playgroup.

“The sports classes will introduce our children to increased levels of activity and in turn benefit their health. Hand to eye co-ordination, team skills and social interactions will all improve which will prepare the children for more physical challenges ahead.”

The charity, which provides childcare for two-and-a-half to five year olds, has also worked hard to fundraise over £1,000 from its annual fun day, which raises money to provide varied activities for the children.

Elaine continued: “As a small charity, funding activities is incredibly difficult. During each year we hold sponsored walks and other events to raise money; however our main fundraiser is our April fun day.

“With the support of parents, local businesses in Stirling, a visit from a Polar explorer and attendance by the Stirling fire brigade, we had a brilliant day and raised £1,270.”

Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said: “St Ninians Playgroup provide a fantastic service for young people in Stirling and it’s a cause we’re proud to back through our community champions scheme.

“Persimmon Homes East Scotland has had a fantastic response to its community champions scheme and it is always a tricky task to pick our winners each month.

“If applicants 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.”

Persimmon Homes East Scotland currently has three sites in Falkirk including Silver Birch Park, Ashridge and Carron Park. Across the three developments is a range of two, three, four and five bedroom homes with prices starting at £122,995