Community Trust Fund update - February

Community groups from across Greater Manchester have been given a cash boost after the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund paid out more than £30,000 this quarter.

13 organisations from across the region have got a share of the money, including Pure Innovations from Stockport. Pure supports people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups to get into work and access community and leisure activities.

They received nearly £2,000 towards purchasing a kiln for its community art group. Abigail Betton Art Facilitator for Pure Innovations, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund. Pure Studio supports people with disabilities to pursue their interests in the arts and we will use the grant to purchase a kiln. The kiln will allow them to explore ceramics in a professional manner, using clay that can be fired and achieve good quality results.

“We also hope to use this equipment to establish our own ceramics studio that will serve as a good base to reach out to our local community. We hope to offer workshops to those who wouldn't otherwise have access to art and ceramics and promote a greater sense of well being through this shared experience."

Elsewhere, the Friends of Ladybarn Park received £3000 for a set of new goal posts and noticeboards for the park whilst the Cheeky Cherubs Soft Play and Learning Centre in Urmston received £1750 for artificial grass for their soft play area.

Each year, Manchester Airport donates more than £100,000 to the Community Trust Fund, as well as the income it receives from fines levied on aircraft exceeding noise limits when operating out of the airport.

Wendy Sinfield, Community Relations Manager for Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see so many worthwhile organisations benefitting from the Community Trust Fund. We know it can make a huge difference to those applying and we’d encourage any local groups looking for funding to get in touch and see if it’s something that could work for them.”

Started in 1997, The Manchester Airport Community Fund has donated more than £3.4m to over 1,454 local community, social and environmental groups in Greater Manchester.

Community Trust Fund meetings are held quarterly and local groups can apply for funding online by 23 February 2018 before the next meeting: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/CommunityTrustFund