Sports clubs, Scouts, hospices, and a local band are among the organisations to benefit from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund, which has handed out almost £30,000 to 18 beneficiaries across Cheshire and South Manchester.
Each year the northern hub donates £100,000 to the Fund, originally set up in 1997, which is also topped up by fines levied on airlines that have breached the airport’s stringent noise limits. This round of funding has seen a range of beneficiaries across Greater Manchester and Cheshire awarded up to £3,000 each. Areas benefiting include Cheshire East and West, Trafford, Stockport, Manchester and Tameside.
In Cheshire, Hope House Children’s Hospice will be getting a cuddle bed (pictured) and Styal Tennis Club in Cheshire East will be using £2,846 towards a kitchen refurb.
Vanessa Baldry, Trusts Manager at Hope House Children’s Hospice, said:
Children and young people at the end-of-life stage or during difficult parts of their treatment journey benefit hugely from positive physical touch – a hug, a cuddle and sharing a bed with a loved one.
“Parents of a very ill or dying child also benefit from being close to their child. The cuddle bed, part-funded with this generous grant by Manchester Airport, is a safe, supportive bed system that can be widened electronically enabling parents and carers to hold their child closely when they are in pain or in their precious last hours, offering great comfort to children and families at an extremely tough time.”
Karen Smart, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:
After what has been a challenging year for many community groups, it’s great to see so many worthwhile and diverse organisations benefitting from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund.
“We have always been proud of the role we play in our neighbouring communities and we are committed to continuing that role, despite the challenging situation we all find ourselves in.
“The fund covers a 10-mile radius of the airport, and we know it can make a huge difference to those applying, so would encourage local groups looking for funding to get in touch.”
The Community Trust Fund’s board is due to hold its next quarterly meeting later this month and is now 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 online.
The full list of organisations to have received support from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund are listed below.
| Organisation | Amount | Use |
| Manchester South District Scouting Council | £1,250 | Oven and extractor fan |
| Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Society | £2,400 | Lacrosse goals |
| Werneth Concert Band | £800 | Acoustic shields |
| Styal Tennis Club | £2,846 | Kitchen refurbishment |
| Active Communities Experiences – Stockport | £1,000 | Football equipment |
| 4th Newall Green Rainbows | £1,500 | Equipment to enhance learning and exploring |
| Stockport Volleyball | £2,500 | Volleyball courts |
| West End Boys Club – Tameside | £667.98 | Goal posts |
| Friends of Cromwell Avenue Park | £1,100 | Hopscotch area in play area |
| Haughton Green Junior FC | £1,812.08 | Football equipment |
| Stockport Schools FC | £1,500 | Football equipment |
| On top of the world 11360 | £350 | Bingo and Karaoke machines |
| Old Trafford Amateur Gardeners Society | £1,967.67 | Padlocks and keys for allotment |
| Flowery Field Cricket Club | £1,850 | Cricket training equipment |
| Hope House Children’s Hospice | £2,500 | Cuddle Bed |
| Craig Road Residents Group | £700 | Picnic table to allow for disabled access |
| Denton St Lawrence Cricket Club | £1,800 | Sight Screen |
| Denton Park Social Bowling Club | £2,520 | Two covered shelters |
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