COMMUNITY charity The Crediton Playscheme has been hand-selected by employees at Mondelez International in the area to receive a donation of £5,000.

Committed to providing fun and reassuring activities for children with additional needs, the charity will be granted the substantial figure from The Cadbury Foundation, as part of its “Your Charity Your Choice” scheme.

The Crediton Playscheme provides fun, educational and social bonding opportunities to children who require extra support. The initiative provides open communication to alleviate pressure on families and ensure children take part in a range of activities they enjoy.

The contribution will support the committee and its volunteers with their busy activity calendar by enabling the programme to run an enjoyable residential weekend for the children.

Each year, all Mondelez International UK employees are invited to nominate well-being-related charities or projects close to their hearts, with the final shortlisted charities up for vote amongst fellow colleagues.

Nicola Pickard, procurement and commercial services manager at Mondelez International, nominated the good cause for the grant. She said: “Living in Crediton myself, I can see the positive impact this great charity has on the community. The remarkable donation from The Cadbury Foundation will help it to do even more in the community.”

Bridget Ashplant, Crediton Playscheme Secretary, said: “A donation of this size will allow us to take the children on a residential weekend to an outdoor centre, which will have been specifically designed for those with special needs and learning difficulties.

“We are a small charity entirely run by volunteers and we raise all of our funding through donations, grants and activities, so we want to thank Nicola Pickard and The Cadbury Foundation for supporting our charity.

The Cadbury Foundation was set up in 1935 in recognition of Richard and George Cadbury and their investment in the welfare of their employees and the local community.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelez International said: “We are extremely proud to be able to support the charities that are important to our employees through our ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme.

“The playscheme is invaluable to so many children and families and we are delighted that our support will help play a part in their vital support.”

Ernest Jackson of Crediton, which has 200 years experience and expertise in developing, manufacturing and marketing medicated confectionery and vitamin pastilles, is a member of the Mondelez International family of companies.

The company currently employs more than 150 people across two sites in the town and at the factory site.