More than a dozen charities and not-for-profit groups across Greater Manchester and Cheshire have received a boost after being granted funding by Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund at its latest meeting.
The Community Trust Fund, which was set up in 1997, 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.
Donations agreed at the latest meeting totalled almost £29,000, spread between 14 groups.
Among those to benefit is Love Urmston, a community group run by volunteers and local businesses in the Urmston area of Trafford. More than £2,300 will go towards this year’s Christmas lights display.
Carol Chappell, Fundraising Lead at Love Urmston, said: “Urmston’s Christmas lights rely entirely on the generous time of volunteers, public donations, and local grants. We are immensely grateful for the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund donation, which allows us to invest in more festive lights, extend coverage to additional areas of the town, and support our committee’s mission to make Urmston thrive.”
Another group to receive a grant is Paddlers For Life, a Manchester-based Dragon Boat racing team made up of cancer survivors, particularly breast cancer. They will get more than £1,600 towards new equipment.
Ann Johnson, a member of the team, said: “Manchester’s only Breast Cancer dragon boat team have been established since 2012 at Debdale Outdoor Centre. With the help of the Manchester Airport Community Fund we’ve been able to replace our Buoyancy Aids and Splash Jackets, much needed accessories for our weekly exercise sessions. The Buoyancy Aids are used in every session throughout the year, but the Splash Jackets, will provide warmth and keep us dry in the winter months.”
Lostock Gralam Parish Council, in Cheshire, will receive almost £800 in funding for new recycling bins in a local park. Parish Clerk, Lyndsey Sandison, said: “The council is responsible for the upkeep and management of the main play area and recreational ground in the parish. The council is keen to promote projects which encourage the community to care of our planet and environment.”
Friends of Styal Station will also receive a grant, with more than £2,500 allocated for a project that will see new seating and green spaces installed at the Cheshirerailway station.
Gemma Nichols, a volunteer with the group, said: “This funding will enable us to add the first outdoor seating at the station, providing a comfortable space for train passengers before their journey but also offering a safe space for anyone to come and relax and enjoy the plentiful wildlife which we’re so fortunate to have. A variety of herbs will be grown in the planters alongside the seating which will provide food for pollinating insects and anyone in the community can come down to the station and help themselves to the variety of herbs on offer.”
Crystal Chords, a women’s barbershop chorus based in Stockport, will be getting nearly £3,000 for a modular riser to be used in stage performances.
Carrie Morrow, a volunteer at Crystal Chords, said: “We are thrilled to have received a Community Trust Fund grant from Manchester Airport as we have been needing to buy some new risers, the curved steps that our members stand on so they can all see the musical director.
“It’s important that we have some lightweight, easy to store risers that all members can collectively assemble, so they can rehearse in a professional manner when they meet every Thursday night in Stockport. It also means they can transport them to performance venues using their own vehicles.
“The grant means we can buy the risers this year – they will be the chorus’ most valuable asset and will allow our group to continue to thrive for many years to come.”
The full list of organisations to be awarded a grant at this month’s 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.
Robert Pattison, Chair of the Community Trust Fund, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to support such a wide array of good causes with this latest round of donations. There are so many fantastic community-led projects across Greater Manchester and Cheshire which often don’t get the recognition they deserve, but we’re proud to support them with the funding they need to serve their local communities, via the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund.
“The deadline for applications ahead of the next meeting is Saturday 7th September, so if you are working on a community project which could use some extra help, please visit our website to apply.”
