A CHARITY that offers street-based support for those in need across Bradford has been backed with a grand donation from a West Yorkshire housebuilder.

Simon On The Streets has been given a cash influx of £1,000 from Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, thanks to the housebuilder’s Community Champions cash pot.

The charity supports rough sleepers across Bradford, offering long term emotional and practical support.

Gordon Laing, general manager at Simon On The Streets, said: “We support entrenched rough sleepers across Bradford.

“Those we support normally refuse help from other services and have often been rough sleeping for a long period of time, usually due to a number of factors which may include mental health issues, distrust and dependencies.

"We work extremely hard to bring these people in from the fringe of society and reintegrate them with a view to building them up to a position where they can see the possibility of changing their lives.

"We have great success both supporting those that choose to remain living on the streets and helping those that decide to make that change.

“Persimmon’s generous donation is a huge help for us and our team is so glad to benefit from the funding.”

Simon Whalley, sales director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “Simon On The Streets play a vital role in the areas in which we build and it is great to be able to support them and their important work.”

The Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative invites groups and charities who have already worked hard to raise money themselves to apply for match-funding of up to £1,000.

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire has two awards of up to £1,000 each available every month. This is the same for each of Persimmon Homes’ other 30 business regions.

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