Developer donation for Plymouth children's group

A Plymouth-based developer has donated £2,500 to PEM Disability Children's Club.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon handed over the cheque to its members at a basketball session at Plymstock School earlier this month as part of its Community Champions scheme.

Founded by two Royal Navy veterans, it was born from a simple but powerful idea: service doesn't end when the uniform comes off. After dedicating over 40 years of service between them, founders Lee Ellis and Luke Monnington sought a new mission — one rooted in compassion, community, and opportunity.

What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a thriving volunteer-led sports club designed specifically for children with disabilities. The Club is a place where youngsters with pan disabilities can come together to play a range of sports and take part in other activities, having fun in a safe environment twice a month.

The volunteer-run club also puts on fun-packed events litter picks, bouncy castle play days, BBQs, trophy nights, and visits to recreation centres such as soft play, swimming pools, and adventure parks.

The accredited five-star developer has two sites in the city, Palmerston Heights in Derriford and Saltram Meadows in Plymstock. Future homes are coming soon to Derriford with one, two, three, and four-bed homes currently available from £155,000 in Plymstock.

Persimmon’s Community Champions programme sees £700,000 go to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. Recent local recipients include Plymouth Night Patrol, Argyle Community Foundation, St Luke’s Hospice, Elburton Villa FC, and Argyle Pride.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon Sales Director Jane Cartwright said: “We are delighted to be lending a helping hand to PEM Disability Children’s Club. They are doing great work in the area, and we wanted to award that dedication to local service, especially with us building major developments in Derriford and Plymstock.

“Our Community Champions scheme is all about supporting club’s like this, ones that make an area great to live in and we want to back initiatives like this as part of our mission to leave a positive and lasting legacy.”

Lee Ellis, Co-founder of PEM Disability Children’s Club, added: “We believe that every child, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, deserves the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sport. Our club offers a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment where children can build confidence, make friends, and discover their strengths.

“As we are run entirely by unpaid volunteers, we are very grateful to Persimmon for their support. We know they are a local business and, no doubt, we will one day have members at one of their developments, so this donation will go a long way.”