Groups including allotments, sports clubs and community centres are celebrating after being awarded a grant by Manchester Airport\u2019s Community Trust Fund at its latest meeting.<\/p>\n
The Community Trust Fund, which is managed by a committee of trustees from the local area alongside representatives from the airport, considers applications from groups based within 10 miles of the airport, including parts of Manchester, Tameside, Trafford, Stockport and Cheshire.<\/p>\n
It was set up in 1997 and has donated more than \u00a34m in that time \u2013 with a commitment to pledge at least \u00a3100,000 per year. Charities and not-for-profit community groups or projects are able to bid for up to \u00a33,000 of funding for initiatives with a clear and lasting community benefit, with applications considered on a quarterly basis.<\/p>\n
More than \u00a324,000 worth of funding was pledges to a total of 18 groups at the latest meeting. These included the David Lewis Centre<\/strong>, in Alderley Edge<\/strong>, will get \u00a31,000 to fund some new accessible picnic benches. Sarah Johnson, Head of Fundraising & Communications at David Lewis, said: “\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly grateful to the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund for their generous support. This funding will help the people we support to make the most of our wonderful outdoor spaces, enabling them to enjoy time outside and take part in meaningful activities that benefit their health and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n The Grafton Centre<\/strong>, a community hub in Hyde<\/strong> which arranges a range of subsidised weekly activities, was given \u00a32,697 for the purchase of a new indoor bowling mat.<\/p>\n Julie Ingham, a Community Centre Manager at The Grafton Centre, explained: \u201c’The donation we received from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund will enable us to buy a brand-new mat as we only started out with a second hand one. This class has proven to be very popular, and it brings people together.<\/p>\n \u201cOur aim is to combat social isolation and loneliness by providing a warm welcoming safe space for all adults to enjoy various activities to live well.\u201d<\/p>\n Benchill Community Centre<\/strong> in Wythenshawe<\/strong> is among six organisations in the City of Manchester that will receive funding. Its grant is at the maximum \u00a33,000 and will fund the creation of a sensory room.<\/p>\n Nicola Booth, an Assistant Centres Manager at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, which manages the community centre, said: \u201cWe here at Benchill Community Centre are so very thankful for the grant. This money will help with the upgrade of our Sensory Room, making it a safe and enjoyable space for not only our many customers with additional needs but also as a place for parents and carers to bring their babies. The Sensory Room is a great community asset that will now be fit for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Robert Pattison, Chair of Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund, added: “Our Community Trust Fund is a powerful example of the way Manchester Airport contributes to its neighbouring communities beyond just flying people to the destinations they want to get to or creating jobs for local people. We\u2019ve now donated more than \u00a3120,000 to good causes in local communities over the course of 2025, and we\u2019re proud of the impact this scheme continues to have in local communities, having issues its first grants almost three decades ago.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are involved with a charity or community project within our area of benefit, we\u2019d love to hear from you ahead of the Community Trust Fund\u2019s next meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n The full list of organisations to be awarded a grant at the latest meeting, and what they will be using the money for, can be found below.<\/p>\n