A DEVELOPER has helped a Newquay charity build on its work tackling food poverty after making a £3,000 donation.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon, which is the constructing the Trevithick Manor Park development, has given the money to Newquay Foodbank.

The company presented the cheque to volunteers at St Michael’s Church where those in need can collect their food parcels.

The Newquay Foodbank was founded in 2011 by local people in the town to support those in need.

Its aim is to provide food and other essential items to address immediate need, then working with a wide variety of agencies to get access to support plans to get people back on their feet.

The donation was made through Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme, which sees £700,000 donated across Britain each year to good causes and much-valued organisations. Recent local recipients include Home Start Kernow and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Jane Cartwright from Persimmon Homes Cornwall said: “We are very pleased to have been able to provide support to people in Newquay who are most in need – times are hard for many at the moment, and we are happy to lend a helping hand.

“Persimmon’s Community Champions initiative is all about supporting the communities and people in which we build, and the Foodbank is a deserving recipient in the town.

“The cost-of-living challenges are hitting a number of families and with our Trevithick Manor Park site nearby, we want to ensure that the service is there for whoever might need that support locally.”

Ruby Bridge from Newquay Foodbank added: “Persimmon’s donation is a massive help for us and will go a long way in helping local people in need.

“I want to extend my thanks to them for choosing us for this donation as well as to our brilliant volunteers who make sure our operation runs seamlessly.”

Cllr Louis Gardner who attended the cheque presentation said: “I am grateful to see a large business that is as active in Cornwall as Persimmon lend a helping hand to such a valued organisation as Newquay Foodbank.

“It is obviously a tragedy that food banks our needed in our society, but I am glad that the community has pulled together to help each other like this, and I thank Persimmon for doing their part in this.”