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Persimmon donates £1,000 to Dales Pony Society

A Teesside builder has donated £1,000 to Dales Pony Society to help promote the critically endangered pony breed locally.

The cash injection from Persimmon Homes Teesside is made from the company’s Community Champions scheme, which is a pot of £24,000 to help fund and support local clubs, groups and good causes.

Dales Pony Society was chosen by Persimmon ahead of the society’s 100 year anniversary in 2016. The Dales Pony, native to the North East of England, is a critically endangered rare breed with fewer breeding mares than the giant panda.

Anna Pennell, publicity officer for Dales Pony Society, said: “We are delighted that Persimmon Homes has chosen to support us. The funds will be used to reproduce a series of professionally designed boards onto posters that will be distributed to schools and educational places such as Killhope Lead mine and Beamish Open Air Museum.

“It’s important that we educate young people on the important role these ponies played in the local mining and farming communities. We rely heavily on donations and are so thankful to Persimmon Homes for their kind and much needed contribution.”

Joan Peart, head of sales for Persimmon Homes Teesside, said: “With developments located across Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, Guisborough, Hartlepool and Darlington it’s an important focus of ours to support the local community.

“The Dales Pony has become an integral part of these communities over the years and funding is essential to continue the educational work carried out by the Dales Pony Society.”

The Persimmon Community Champions scheme is a national programme where clubs, groups and good causes can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves.

Joan added: “We’ve made it really simple to apply for funding, and we’re urging people to apply for next month’s donation by completing an online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lee Southen .