A BRIDGWATER carnival club and a disability charity have both received donations to help them plug the financial gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

United Response, which has a base on Soundwell Road, and the Cavaliers Carnival Club have been given £1,000 each from Persimmon Homes Severn Valley.

The donations come as part of Persimmon’s long-running Community Champions scheme, which donates £64,000 to good causes across the UK each month.

The Cavaliers CC is a group of volunteers who give up their time throughout the year to create a showpiece for the annual carnival concerts as well as designing, building and putting forward a large illuminated cart for the Somerset carnival circuit.

Vanessa Speed, of Cavaliers Carnival Club, said: “We have been hit very hard this year, fighting every month to keep afloat as we have outgoings of our building shed, insurance and utilities and we haven’t been able to fundraise as we normally would since April.

“We need help to keep our club alive to ensure that the spectacle of the carnival that is normally enjoyed by thousands of people who travel from far and wide continues for many years ahead.

“This money is a lifeline for us and gives our members something to strive for in 2021.”

United Response is a national charity supporting 2,000 people with mild and profound physical and learning disabilities, Asperger’s, Autism and mental health needs.

Carly Spear, sales director at Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said: “2020 has been an incredibly tough year for many charities and community groups.

“We’re delighted to be able to lend a helping hand in these testing times.”