Primary schools in communities surrounding Manchester Airport are being invited to take part in an eco-garden competition to mark 25 years of the hub’s Community Trust Fund.
The overall winning eco-garden design will receive a £25,000 prize, with the second and third placed schools taking home £10,000 and £5,000 respectively to transform their outdoor spaces.
Primary schools within an approximate 10-mile radius of the airport – which covers parts of Trafford, Manchester, Stockport, Tameside and Cheshire – are being given the chance to win a share of £40,000 from the Airport’s Community Trust Fund by dreaming up a garden design that will educate and inspire their pupils about the environment.
Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund launched in 1997 as part of the terms for the construction of the airport’s second runway in under a Section 106 agreement with local authorities.
The competition is being launched to mark 25 years since the Airport’s Community Trust Fund was first launched to support non-profit causes in communities surrounding Manchester Airport.
Schools hoping to be in with a chance of winning the prize are being asked to submit an application via Manchester Airport website, before the deadline of Friday 28th October, with a breakdown of how they would spend the funds and a covering letter outlining the difference this would make, also specifying how they would use the project to promote environmental awareness among pupils. The application will include producing a short video of no more than 3 minutes, presented by pupils, summarising the eco-garden proposal and the benefits it will bring.
Pupils from six finalist schools will be asked to pitch to the trustees at a grand final event under the wings of the Concorde, at the airport’s Runway Visitor Park, to decide the winners.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:
“Since it was established in December 1997, the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund has invested more than £3.5m into worthwhile causes in our neighbouring communities. We are very proud of the positive impact it has made in that time.
“This competition celebrates the fund’s upcoming 25th anniversary in the most fitting way – giving three primary schools in our area an opportunity to create a unique, eco-friendly space that will leave a legacy for the next generation of pupils.
“We are encouraging applicants to be both innovative and imaginative, making use of space on their school’s campus that needs renovation and giving it a fresh lease of life.”
In each case, the eco-garden or learning area concept will need to have a lasting beneficial impact on wildlife and biodiversity as well as the education and wellbeing of students and the wider school community.
Selected finalist schools will be contacted by 21st November and will be asked to prepare their brief 10-minute presentation for the trustees, to be given at the grand final on Tuesday 6th December. Schools are encouraged to be creative with their proposals, and the presentation could include artwork, models, digital slides, or any other method that the pupils feel gets their ideas across.
Pupils will get the chance to rehearse their presentation during a visit from a local MP or airport business partner, who will provide feedback on the plans and mentorship to the pupils set to give the presentation.
Mike Kane MP, Shadow Aviation Minister and Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe, said:
“As an ex-primary school teacher I am delighted to see this competition for local children. It is a great chance for kids to work together on a scheme to improve their school grounds and I cannot wait to see what they come up with.
“We all know how important the environment and biodiversity is and it’s great that in its 25th year the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund will give schools the opportunity to create cleaner, greener spaces which will benefit us all for generations to come.”
The Community Trust Fund is overseen by the airport and managed by a committee of independent trustees, formed of local 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.
Photo: Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe (C), Cllr Sam Naylor (L) and the Airport’s Head of Community Engagement Rob Pattison (R)
Celebrity Charity Cricket Match to raise funds for Seashell 
SAS Daniels’ reveals four-figure fundraising total for 2024 
John Lewis Cheadle to host Fashion Show in aid of hospice charity