TWO Reading charities have received donations from a regional housebuilder to help them support cancer patients and their families through very difficult times.

Persimmon Homes Thames Valley awarded £1,000 each to Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and Chemo Gift Bags through its Community Champions scheme, which has run since 2015.

The scheme is currently supporting groups that help the over-70s for the foreseeable future, with two donations of up to £1,000 available every month in the region.

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Chemo Gift Bags aims to supply free gift bags to men and women who are going through chemotherapy due to breast cancer.

Spokesperson Emma Morton said: “As a small charity, we have been massively affected by the coronavirus outbreak as it has meant that we have been unable to go ahead with our planned events which raise much-needed funds.

“Our charity aims to show people that we care and bring some comfort during a very distressing period.

"We are really happy to receive this funding and cannot thank Persimmon Homes Thames Valley enough.”

Last year, the Duchess of Kent Hospice, which provides care across Berkshire, provided support to 9,891 people aged over 70.

Together with its day services at Newbury and Wokingham, the charity looks after people living with life-limiting conditions.

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Spokesperson Ashleigh Embling said: “We combine specialist medical care for managing pain as well as offering emotional, practical and spiritual support.

“Everyone works seamlessly together to support patients and their families through the most difficult times.

"Huge thanks to Persimmon Homes as the funding will really help us.

"It means so much to us to have their support.”

Rachel Faulkner, sales director for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, added: “We are delighted to be able to support two incredibly worthwhile charities in this way.”