Delight for 20 local good causes as Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund pledges £34k giveaway

Scout groups, a local theatre and an outdoor education centre are among charities and community groups from Greater Manchester and Cheshire celebrating a grant from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund.

The Fund, which has given away over £4 million since it was set up in 1997, pledged a total of £34,090.75 to 20 organisations at its latest quarterly meeting.

Among those to benefit is Nacro Outdoor Learning, an educational centre in Wythenshawe, which will receive £3,000 for solar panels. They were presented with a cheque for the funds on a visit from Mike Kane MP last Friday.

Beth Craigen, a youth worker with Nacro Outdoor Learning, explained: “We are delighted to be supported by the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund with funding toward solar panels for our wonderful Nacro Nature Bus project. We will be converting an old yellow school bus into a classroom and quiet space for use by our young people and the wider community in Wythenshawe.

“It will help us immensely to have an additional indoor learning and multi-use space to support our outdoor learning delivery. As our work is focused on instilling a love for the outdoors, nature and conservation in our participants, our project hopes to be sustainable and eco-friendly, so the funding from Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund will help to make this a reality.”

Also receiving a grant is Hyde Young People’s Enterprise, a community group in Tameside. They are planning to spend their grant of nearly £1,200 on an outdoor picnic area. Abdul Mumin, from Hyde Young People’s Enterprise, said: “The picnic benches will transform our outdoor space into a more welcoming and functional area for our young people and community members. This will allow us to hold activities outdoors, create opportunities for social interaction, and encourage engagement in a positive and supportive environment.”

1st Mobberley Mallory Scout Group in Cheshire will receive £2,000 to help with the purchase of camping and outdoor equipment.

Viv Pike, Group Lead Volunteer, said: “Scouting is all about putting the ‘out’ into ‘Scouting’ and therefore the donation received will greatly enhance the opportunity for our young people to enjoy the benefits of camping and the great outdoors.  Our tents were badly damaged last year during high winds so this donation will enable us to replace those which were damaged and ensure our young people enjoy their nights away.”

Another beneficiary is Your Local Pantry, a foodbank and community hub in Bridgehall, Stockport, awarded almost £1,000 for equipment including a new fridge freezer.

Julie Nelson-Hall, an organiser at Your Local Pantry, said: “We are thrilled with the grant from Manchester Airport for a new fridge and whiteboards. We have been running our pantry since 2016, recognising the importance of affordable food provision for local residents.

“Our members pay £4.50 a week and can access 10 items of food plus free fruit, vegetables and bread. The new fridge will allow us to replace our current fridge which is coming to the end of its life.”

Friends of Woodheys Park in Trafford were awarded nearly £2,000 towards installing accessible picnic benches.

Ulrich Savary, a local councillor in Trafford and member of Friends of Woodheys Park, explained: “Making Woodheys Park fully accessible to all residents is one of our top priorities. With the generous funding from Manchester Airport, the Friends of Woodheys Park can now add two wheelchair-accessible picnic tables to the park. This will contribute to the refurbishment of the play area, making our park an even better place for everyone to enjoy.”

Wincham Parish Council in Cheshire was awarded £3,000 towards the creation of a Trim Trail. Project Manager Tony Psaila explained: "We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Manchester Airport Community Fund which will specifically provide funds towards the purchase of outdoor exercise equipment, including eight different exercise stations with usage instructions. 
 

"The project aims to improve the quality of life in Wincham by transforming the local playing field into a vibrant Fitness and Well-Being Trail. The trail will feature a 5-a-side football pitch within a 200-metre running and walking path loop, connected to the existing main pathways that will be upgraded for accessibility. Additional ground-level lighting is to be provided for the main pathway which will ensure safety during low light conditions, making the area usable year-round. 

“We aim to begin works in Spring 2025 and to complete the project in phases by the end of the year. It will address the gap in adult exercise facilities and promote social inclusion, reducing loneliness and isolation while complementing other local amenities.”

The Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund is managed by a committee of trustees from the local area alongside representatives from the airport. It makes pledges worth up to £100,000 every year to groups based within 10 miles of the airport, including parts of Manchester, Tameside, Trafford, Stockport and Cheshire. Groups are able to bid for up to £3,000 of funding for initiatives with a clear and lasting community benefit.
 

"It is fantastic to have been able to support such a wide range of good causes at our latest meeting. The Community Trust Fund forms a big part of Manchester Airport’s commitment to be a good neighbour, and ensure communities on our doorstep share in the airport’s success. We are proud to play our part in supporting 20 charities and community groups with projects that will benefit thousands of people in those communities.”

Robert Pattison, Chair of Community Trust Fund

The full list of organisations to be awarded a grant at the latest meeting, and what they will be using the money for, can be found below.

Details on how to apply for a Community Trust Fund grant, and the full criteria, can be found here. The deadline for new applications ahead of the next quarterly meeting is Friday 14^th March.

Grants awarded in Q1 2025