A Pembroke youth project has been named as Persimmon Homes’ latest Community Champion - netting them £1,000.

Tanyard Youth Project will use the money to help secure the future of the scheme that has been in existence since 1998.

The aim of the project is to provide a safe and welcoming environment to all young people regardless of their ability, disability, gender, race or social background.

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. Nationwide the company will donate a total of £750,000.

Caitlin Rowley, aged 17, who uses the Tanyard Youth Project, said: “I have been going to the Tanyard Youth Project for the past five years and it is a great place to be.

“It has helped me so much with school work and I have gained so much by coming here. I have recently completed my Duke of Edinburgh Award and I’m not sure where I would be without that help from Tanyard.

“The donation from Persimmon Homes will be a great help to us. It helps keep the project going and helps other people in a similar position as I was.”

Sharon Robinson, sales director for Persimmon Homes West Wales, said: “The application from Tanyard Youth Project ticked all the boxes to be a Community Champion.

“We were impressed at how much they do for the community in Pembrokeshire and we wanted to help in any way we could.

“Like always, it was a difficult decision to choose, so anyone who missed out this time - even if you have won previously - I would urge them to get in touch and apply.”

To apply people can visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

Persimmon Homes West Wales currently has sites at Martello Park in Pembroke; Cloverfields in Milford Haven and The Fairways also in Milford Haven.

For more details about developments across south Wales visit www.persimmonhomes.com