Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund donates more than £38k to local causes

Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund has agreed funding for 18 charities and not-for-profit groups across Greater Manchester and Cheshire at its latest meeting.

The Fund, which was set up in 1997 and has since made more than £4m of pledges, will donate more than £38,000 in total to organisations as varied as BMX club, a youth theatre and a musical support group for older adults.

Among those to benefit is triathlon group Lymm Tri, from Lymm in Cheshire, who will receive £1,245 towards equipment to support the group’s members during swims.

Caroline Clarke, one of the group’s organisers, explained: “We needed to improve our safety equipment for the open water swimming and this is where the money from Manchester Airport will make such a difference. 

“Lymm Tri was formed after a group of ladies decided that they would take part in a sprint triathlon.  Although all of the ladies ran, most of them hadn't been on a bike for years and didn't open water swim, let alone own a wetsuit.

“All of the ladies finished the triathlon and four were on the podium for their age group, so we decided that we wished to carry on and Lymm Tri has now gained affiliation to British Triathlon.

“We had been borrowing kayaks, but this funding will enable us to buy two new kayaks, with proper paddles, buoyancy aids and waterproof walkie talkies.”

Also receiving a grant is Wythenshawe Youth Theatre, which has been awarded £3,000 to purchase new electronic equipment that will help them put on a wider range of productions. Ash McDowell, a volunteer with the theatre, said: “‘This funding will allow us to provide the young people within our community with high quality equipment to give them hands on experience of the arts industry.”

Bruntwood Park BMX Club, based in Cheadle, Stockport, were granted £3,000 towards training equipment and safety gear that will enable more local youngsters to try out the sport, in the year that Kieran Reilly picked up a silver medal in the event for Team GB at the Paris Olympics.

Sarah Woodward, Secretary of Bruntwood Park BMX Club said: ““We are over the moon with the grant awarded to our BMX Club. We are now able to ensure we have all the necessary equipment needed to provide our riders with a safe and suitable BMX experience. To now be in a position to recruit more riders is fantastic for the club, the local community and the sport.”

Sale-based String of Hearts were awarded a total of £2,718 towards musical instruments and equipment. Lucy Geddes, Co-Director of String of Hearts, explained: “This generous funding will enable String of Hearts to provide accessible percussion instruments across our activities, supporting over 500 isolated older adults each year to actively participate in music-making sessions and home visits that reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing, and foster lasting relationships across our community.”

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.

Robert Pattison, Chair of the Community Trust Fund, said: "We take our role in supporting our neighbouring communities very seriously and we’re keen that they are able to share in the airport’s success, so the Community Trust Fund is a really important part of delivering that and we’re very proud to once again be supporting such a wide range of fantastic local causes.

"If you’re part of a group or community project or know someone who is, and could potentially benefit from this funding, we’d love to hear from you ahead of our next meeting in January.” 

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 January’s quarterly meeting is Friday 13^th December.

Grants awarded in Q4 2024