A THRIVING group for children and young people with Down's syndrome is among the first regional winners in a new funding programme spearheaded by a housebuilder.

Down Syndrome Training & Support Services, based in Bingley, has scooped £1,000 in the Persimmon Homes Building Futures initiative.

And the charity now has the chance of winning a national cash windfall.

Persimmon Homes – which is currently building a development at Occupation Lane, in Keighley ­– launched its fund in partnership with Team GB, the British Olympic Association.

It is awarding £1,000 a month in each of its 32 regional operating areas to support groups working with under-18s across three categories – health, education and arts, and sport.

Later this year, three initiatives which top a public vote will win £100,000 each.

There will also be second and third prizes, of £50,000 and £20,000, in each category.

Plus a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Dr Wendy Utley, from Down Syndrome Training & Support Services, said the charity was delighted to win the £1,000 funding.

The group provides education, support and training to children, young people and their families and carers through a range of activities and events.

The donation will help fund its early development sessions for pre-school children.

"The sessions are designed to help the children meet their development milestones so that they may enter mainstream education," said Dr Utley.

"Sessions run fortnightly and we currently have ten groups, catering for 50 pre-school children.

"We are delighted to see how the groups help the children to progress.

"It costs on average £18,000 a year to run these sessions, which are one part of the many intervention and training services we provide.

"Our total annual expenditure is £150,000 so Persimmon Homes’ support is very much appreciated.

"Should we win the national prize, we would expand our early years services enabling us to support many more children as they enter a mainstream education setting."

Building Futures is being run through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, which last year gave away £620,000 to support children’s sport.

Simon Whalley, sales director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: "Building Futures is an exciting new campaign which will support groups working with under-18s right across West Yorkshire and the UK.

"We had some strong applications in February and are delighted to support Down Syndrome Training & Support Services. However, we would like to encourage more groups and charities to apply for funding."

For further details, visit persimmonhomes.com/building-futures.