A North London housebuilder has donated £1,000 to support a children’s charity that works with hospitals and hospices by providing specially trained performers called Giggle Doctors.

Persimmon Homes North London awarded the donation to the Theodora Children’s Charity through its Building Futures scheme, which aims to support community groups working with under-18s across three categories – education & arts, health and sport.

Building Futures will see £1million given away across Britain to regional charities, groups, sports clubs and schools to improve local facilities and the delivery of vital community projects. Entries are now closed.

Theodora Children’s Charity works to improve the hospital environment for children undergoing treatment in 21 hospitals, three hospices and two specialist care centres. its Giggle Doctors have visited 500,000 children in its 25 years, having started at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1994. The charity now has 33 Giggle Doctors visiting children in 26 sites across England.

Joe Goodlad, spokesman for Theodora Children’s Charity, said: “Our Giggle Doctors bring laughter and joy to over 25,000 children every year. Their visits help to reduce the stress and anxiety caused by the hospital environment, increase the opportunities for play, and improve wellbeing. This donation has made it possible for more than 50 children to have visits from our Giggle Doctors, at a time when they are needed most”

Rachel Faulkner, sales director of Persimmon Homes North London, said: “We are so proud of the difference our Building Futures scheme can make and can see how the Giggle Doctors help children at a difficult time.”

In addition to hundreds of local donations of £1,000, 96 initiatives will go on to compete for top prizes of £100,000 through a national online public vote as part of the Building Futures scheme. The overall winners will be named in October.

In each sector – education & arts, health and sport – as well as a £100,000 first prize, there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.