MENTAL health projects, food banks, schemes to help the homeless, schools and sports clubs are among the latest good causes in the Chester area to receive support from Redrow.

The homebuilder has been offering voluntary community funds linked to its North West developments since 2016.

The latest pot of £10,000 attached to new homes being built at Kings Moat Garden Village, off Wrexham Road, Chester, brings the total gifted already to good causes via community funds to more than £130,000.

Anna Evans-Kerr, head of sales at Redrow Homes (NW), said: “We had a great response to our Kings Moat Garden Village Fund and received a good mix of applications from worthy causes in the local area. With only £10,000 to share the panel had tough decisions to make. We tried to share the funding so that a diverse range of projects would benefit, while also being mindful of the extra pressures charities and community groups have faced this year because of Covid.

“For example, we’ll be helping provide food for those in need; covering the cost of play therapy sessions and funding improvement works at a Scout hut. We’ll also be encouraging children to stay healthy and enjoy the outdoors, by supporting sports clubs, providing scooter storage at one primary school and creating an outdoor reading area at another.”

Beneficiaries of the new Kings Moat Garden Village Fund include:

• Overleigh St Mary’s CE Primary School

• 18th Chester Scout Group

• Belgrave Primary School

• Muir

• Platform For Life

• Soul Kitchen

• West Cheshire Food Bank

• Chester Nomads FC

• Chester Gladiators RFC

• Minerva Arts

Soul Kitchen has received £750 towards providing food and support for those who are homeless or in need in Chester.

Treasurer of Soul Kitchen, Helen Anthony, said: “Due to COVID we have been focusing on providing meals for all those were homeless and who were put into temporary accommodation during lockdown. As the situation is now easing we are looking at ways in which we can re-start our usual activities, including our ‘Soul in a Bowl’ cooking project, which teaches people how to cook nutritious meals on a budget. As well as having a practical benefit of educating people about cookery, nutrition and budgeting, the project also allows people to be fed and to build up a rapport with our volunteers which can help establish a more positive future.”

Redrow’s voluntary community fund is in addition to the homebuilder’s many statutory obligations linked to the Kings Moat Garden Village joint venture, which will include a new primary school, healthcare facilities, shops, open space and affordable homes.