26
September
2018
|
11:52
Europe/Amsterdam

Last chance to celebrate Manchester Airport’s birthday

Community groups across the region have just two weeks left to apply for a commemorative oak tree and timecapsule as part of Manchester Airport’s 80th birthday celebrations.

The UK’s third largest airport announced earlier in the year its intention to plant 80 oak trees to mark the milestone, as part of a wider programme of activity. Since launching the scheme, the airport has been inundated with requests from groups across the North West.

Oak symbolises 80 years and the airport is searching for local organisations that would like to have a tree planted in their grounds to join the celebrations. The English Oak is one of the best known native trees, with the gifted tree being 4-6ft tall before growing up to a magnificent 130ft tall with a broad crown and open canopy allowing light to seep through to the ground below.

Each successful applicant will also get a special time capsule to plant alongside the tree, which will come with an item from Manchester Airport, such as an 80th birthday commemorative badge, and can then be filled with items of their choice. With the usual lifespan of an oak tree being around 200 years, and some living over 1,000 years, the time capsule will be a fantastic opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Applications are welcome from a wide range of organisations, from schools to sports clubs and charities to community centres.

Wendy Sinfield, CSR Manager at Manchester Airport, said: “We have already received lots of applications from community groups across the region. With only two weeks left until the trees are allocated, we’d advise interested groups to get their applications in as soon as they can.

“It is really fitting that oak symbolises 80 years, as we are really proud of our regional roots, at the same time as helping Manchester and the North branch out around the world.”

Organisations wishing to plant a tree should email community.relations@manairport.co.uk with their name and organisation name, telephone number, email address, where they would like to plant the tree and why, and if they would like a time capsule. An airport representative will assist with all tree plantings.

Successful applicants will be notified by 12 October, with trees available to plant a short time after.