Persimmon donates £1,000 to karting star from Chard

Twelve-year-old Lucas Carter has received £1,000 from Persimmon Homes through its Community Champions programme to support his karting ambitions.

Lucas recently took first place in the Cadet Group B class at the Club100 Academy 2 Lightweight event held at Whilton Mill in February.

He also set the fastest lap of the event, clocking a time of 1:03.977.

Stacey Harris, sales director at Persimmon Homes South West, said: "Success in these events marks Lucas’s enormous abilities and shows the bright racing career that awaits him.

"Persimmon hopes such talent can be further cultivated by our recent donation."

The Club100 series, in which Lucas secured victory, is renowned as offering the “highest level of ‘Arrive and Drive’ two-stroke karting in Europe” and is widely regarded as the toughest and most respected rental karting series in the UK.

Lucas said: "I would like to thank Persimmon for its generous support to help me pursue my racing passion.

"This donation could not have come at a better time as my engine just went bust during my last race.

"I look forward to going as far as my talent takes me while doing something I love, especially when competing among friends."

Persimmon Homes donates £700,000 each year to good causes through its Community Champions scheme.

Recent recipients in the South West include Children’s Hospice South West, South West Blood Bikes, and Ilminster Town Council.

The developer is currently progressing a planning application for 237 new homes to the south of Chard.

Ms Harris said the company looks forward to watching Lucas’s progress, particularly as it continues its work in the area.