
Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund has now pledged more than £80,000 of grants to local community causes in 2021.
In its latest round of community grants, the fund has donated £23,146.46 in grants to nine organisations within 10 miles of the airport. The donations, agreed in July, follow 17 grants offered at April’s meeting worth £25,770.60, and more than £30,000 pledged after a meeting in January.
Beneficiaries of the latest round of donations include three local cricket clubs, a community-run project encouraging plastic recycling and a Manchester-based charity aiming to tackle food poverty.
Karen Smart, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:
We have had an unprecedented number of applications in recent months from community organisations across Greater Manchester and North Cheshire, as they begin to plan for the future with the end of Coronavirus restrictions hopefully in sight.
“At times like these, we recognise more than ever the important role that our airport plays as an institution at the heart of our community and are proud to be able to support so many fantastic causes with this latest round of donations.
“If your organisation is based within 10 miles of our airport and you need some support with a community project, our Trust Fund would love to hear from you.”
Cheshire organisations to have benefited from the Airport’s Community Trust Fund grants in the past year include Crosstown Community Orchard in Knutsford, who will receive £1,450 towards an upgrade project including the installation of a new shed. The Group’s Chairman, Adam Keppel-Green, said:
“In the first half of 2021, we have been working hard to regenerate an underused open space into a thriving community orchard.
“The grant from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund to install a shed will enable us to continue to develop the orchard and run training, workshops and events, bringing more of the community into the space, sharing skills and more closely knitting our community.”
The Community Trust Fund’s board is next due to meet later this month and is welcoming applications for up to £3,000 from locally based, not-for-profit organisations. Details on how to apply and the full criteria can be found on the airport’s website.
Pictured: New wicket covers at Cheadle Hulme Cricket Club in Stockport, following the award of a £3,000 grant for community sports team.