A SWINDON community radio station is one of the first winners in a new campaign giving out a share of £1 million to good causes.

Swindon 105.5 received one of 128 £1,000 grants from Persimmon Homes’ Building Futures scheme, which supports community groups working with under-18s – and could go on to win up to £100,000 later in the year.

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day with programmes presented and put together by Swindonians of all ages and abilities. Off-air, the facility offers training, work placements, school placements, and volunteering.

Station manager Shirley Ludford said: “We’re delighted to named one of the first Building Futures winners. This £1,000 will help improve our facilities, allowing us to purchase essential equipment. We provide a host of projects for young people, helping to give a voice to people of all abilities.

“We solely rely on grants, donations, fundraising events and it’s donations like this that help keep our community radio station going.”

Later in the year, an initiative from each sector in the scheme – education and arts, health, and sport – that received grants from the housebuilder will go on to win £100,000 through a national online public vote. And there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize for each category, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Swindon Children’s Scrapstore won last year’s top prize in the sports category.

Projects who want to apply to the Building Futures scheme at persimmonhomes.com/building-futures should do so before Sunday.