Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund donates over £25,000 in latest funding round

Sixteen organisations in Cheshire and Greater Manchester will receive a combined total of more than £25,000 in grants, following the latest meeting of Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund.

Trustees consider applications for up to £3,000 of funding for community-led projects or not-for-profit organisations, with requests reviewed on a quarterly basis.

The Community Trust Fund was founded in December 1997 and has made donations totalling in excess of £3.5 million to community-led projects in Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside and Cheshire.

Among the four beneficiaries in Cheshire East in the latest funding round is Mobberley Junior Football Club. They have been awarded the maximum £3,000 grant for the purchase and fitting of a 20ft container, which will be used for storing equipment. David Clayton, a coach at the club, said:

“We are extremely grateful for the generous funding from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund. 

“As a community club that has grown significantly in this past year, this funding will allow us to obtain and install much-needed storage space at our home pitch, so we can continue to expand and provide great equipment and facilities for the young boys and girls that benefit from playing football in our village. 

“Getting children involved in grass-roots sports has so many benefits and this funding will allow the club to continue to provide something of real value to the community.”

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:

“The Community Trust Fund has made an enormous contribution to our neighbouring communities since it was first conceived 25 years ago, and the range of donations agreed at the latest meeting is testament to that.

“If you are involved in a community initiative or not-for-profit group, based within 10 miles of the airport, you can ask for up to £3,000 towards equipment or costed projects, and we would love to hear from you ahead of the trustees’ next meeting in October.”

The Community Trust Fund is overseen by the airport and managed by a committee of independent trustees, formed of councillors from the six local authority areas which fall within the fund’s catchment area. It provides cash either as a contribution to, or to meet the full cost of, not-for-profit initiatives.

The airport contributes £100,000 per year to the fund, which is topped up by the fines levied on airlines which breach noise restrictions.

Details on how to apply for a Community Trust Fund grant, and the full criteria, can be found here. The deadline for applications to be considered at October’s meeting is Friday 5^th September.

Pictured: Webb Lane Allotments users in Stockport who will benefit from a more permanent structure to store tools, following a £2,994 grant from the Community Trust Fund.