A thriving, friendly hockey club has secured a £1,000 donation from leading housebuilder Persimmon Homes South East to open up the sport outside of schools.

Organisers at the Aylesford-based K-Sports Hockey Club, formerly Cobdown Hockey Club, applied to the company’s Community Champions scheme for funding and have landed the cash to help encourage youngsters to take up the sport.

Matt Sharp, who made the successful bid on behalf of the club, said: “Over the last 24 months Cobdown Hockey Club has been running a recruitment project in the local area of Tonbridge and Malling, in order to grow the numbers of club members, but to also offer hockey to more people within the area.

“This has seen the club move from two men’s sides and one ladies team, to the verge of three men’s teams and ladies sides and a regular youth development and training program. We are also keen to form partnerships with local schools to support the growth of hockey in the area and provide club services to those schools.

“The £1,000 donation will be a big boost to the group and we are delighted that Persimmon Homes South East has supported us so generously. It will provide pitch playing equipment for use when participating in community based hockey activities.”

Martin Crick, head of sales and marketing for Persimmon Homes South East, based in Maidstone, said the Community Champions scheme was a way of supporting people across every city, town and village where the company works.

He said: “The efforts of the K- Sports Hockey Club will enable children and young people to enjoy good physical and mental health through taking part in sport as well as enhancing equality of opportunity and access to the sport in the community. We are delighted to support the group with this donation.”

Persimmon Homes South East Community Champions fund has £2,000 each month to share between two worthy causes to match their fundraising activities.

Martin added: “We are committed to helping good causes in the towns and cities in which we are building. We have plans for a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes and two- bedroom coach houses at our Maidstone Studios development, which will appeal to first-time buyers, families and downsizers alike.

“We have had a fantastic response to the Community Champions scheme. If people have previously been unsuccessful, we urge them to apply again and potentially become our next Community Champion.”

To apply for funding, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity