AIR Cadets in Pershore are flying high after a cash donation from a regional housebuilder.

The 233 Squadron Air Training Corps has been named Community Champions by Persimmon Homes South Midlands, which has given the unit £1,000. The money, which will help fund new event equipment, comes as part of the housebuilders' Community Champions project, which will see a pot of £48,000 being given to support local groups and charities by March 2017.

Rebecca Pritchett, commanding officer at 233 (Pershore) Squadron Air Cadets unit, said: “We are extremely grateful to Persimmon Homes for their generous donation. We provide a wide range of activities including flying and gliding, BTECs in aviation studies, camps as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. We attend numerous public events every year promoting the opportunities and skills that individuals can gain when the join and our event equipment was in desperate need of an upgrade."

Carol Selway, sales director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said the community initiative was a way of supporting people across every city, town and village where the company works.

She added: “The 233 Squadron Air Cadets provides exciting opportunities and superb training facility for youngsters. Our latest Pershore development, Wyre Meadows, will feature 260 new homes so we expect many of our customers will have children who can benefit from the Air Cadets services."

The Persimmon Community Champions initiative is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves. Applications for next month’s donations can be made by completing an online form at persimmonhomes.com/charity.