CORNWALL’S Paralympic hero Melissa Reid has given her backing to a new programme aimed at giving away thousands of pounds to sports groups and sporty individuals in the county.

Para-triathlete Melissa, who won bronze at the Rio Olympic Games last summer, said she was ‘proud’ to be supporting Persimmon Homes’ new Healthy Communities initiative.

Persimmon, the UK’s leading housebuilder, whose company headquarters are in Launceston, is giving away more than £600,000 to sporting causes across the UK over the next ten months.

Persimmon Healthy Communities is aimed at amateur sports teams and individuals aged 21 years and under in England, Wales and Scotland.

Every month each of Persimmon’s 30 regional businesses will hand out £750 to either an individual or sportsperson in the area.

The money is to be spent on sports kit, equipment, coaching or facilities.

Then in January 2018, Persimmon’s 30 businesses will then choose a team or individual to represent them in the grand final.

An online public vote will decide the overall winner, with one individual or group scooping the £200,000 top prize to create a lasting legacy and two runners-up winning £50,000 each. The other 27 finalists will win £5,000 each.

The new fund is in addition to the £720,000 the company already donates through its hugely successful Community Champions programme each year.

Melissa, from Porthtowan, said: “I am proud to be involved in the launch of Persimmon’s super Healthy Communities programme. There are some fantastic sports clubs in Cornwall and some very talented youngsters. I know that funding can be very hard to come by. Persimmon’s generosity will be very well received. Who knows, maybe the overall winner will come from Cornwall.”

To find out more or to enter the competition, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity