A leading Wiltshire housebuilder has provided a significant financial boost to a local youth rugby team, ensuring young players will be kitted out for the coming seasons.
Local Developer Backs Grassroots Sport
Persimmon Homes Wessex, the developer behind the Oak Hill Rise housing scheme in Chippenham, has presented a cheque for £1,000 to Chippenham RFC's Under-11s team. The donation forms part of the national builder's Community Champions programme, which allocates funds to support local organisations.
The grant is specifically earmarked to fund the squad's match-day kit for the 2025/2026 season. Pauline Fletcher, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, emphasised the company's commitment to local causes. "As a local developer, Persimmon is always happy to fund local youth sports teams as they are often a central part of bringing together young people in the community," she said.
A Historic Club's Future Secured
Chippenham RFC, a club with a long history dating back to 1898, currently has around 400 members and plays its home fixtures at Allington Fields. The donation will directly benefit its youngest members, covering the cost of a full set of kit for the entire Under-11s squad.
Team manager Luke Maggs expressed the team's gratitude. "We are very grateful to Persimmon Homes for their donation. The money they have provided has funded the whole squad to have a full set of match-day kit," he said. "The smile on their faces when the kit was handed over was priceless."
Wider Community Impact
Persimmon's Community Champions initiative sees the company donate £700,000 each year to good causes across the UK. Recent local beneficiaries include the Chippenham Teen Takeover event, which the developer has sponsored for the past two years.
Fletcher also highlighted the potential long-term community links, noting, "We may very well see future residents from our Oak Hill Rise development in town go on to become players and fans in the coming years, too." This investment in youth sport is viewed as a direct investment in community health, social cohesion, and future local talent.
