Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund pledges more than £37,000 to local projects

Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund has pledged more than £37,000 to 21 good causes across Greater Manchester and Cheshire at its latest quarterly meeting.

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.

Charities and not-for-profit community groups or projects are able to bid for up to £3,000 of funding for initiatives with a clear and lasting community benefit, with applications considered on a quarterly basis.

Among those due to benefit from the latest round of funding is Your Local Pantry – Lancashire Hill, in Stockport. The Lancashire Hill site is one of several community-based initiatives aimed at addressing food poverty by providing affordable access to food. Operated by Your Local Pantry in the Stockport area, the site is the latest to obtain funding from the Community Trust Fund, which has previously supported sites in Bridgehall, Mottram Street and Woodley. The funding for Lancashire Hill totals nearly £1,000 and will pay for a refrigeration unit and shelving, allowing the pantry to make more fresh food available for its users.

Marilyn Cockburn, Operations Officer at Your Local Pantry, said:

“We’re so grateful for this support from the Community Trust Fund. There’s a real sense of community at Lancashire Hill, and the new refrigeration unit and shelving will make a huge difference in providing more fresh, healthy food to those that rely on the pantry.”

Robert Pattison, Chair of Community Trust Fund, said:

“We are proud of our role in serving the people of Greater Manchester and Cheshire, above and beyond flying them to their destination of choice – whether it’s as a major local employer, an enabler of inward investment, or in this case, a champion of good causes in our neighbouring communities. If you are a not-for-profit community group in our area, or are working on a community project that needs a bit of extra cash to get it over the line, we’d love to hear from you.”

Other Stockport organisations to receive funding in this latest round of grants from Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund include: 3rd Heald Green (St Catherine’s) Scout Group, Woodhall Allotment Association, Cheadle Angling Club, and mental health charity, Mode Rehabilitation.

Details on how to apply for a Community Trust Fund grant, and the full criteria, can be found via the Manchester Airport website. The deadline for new applications ahead of the next quarterly meeting is Saturday 6^th September.

Pictured: Manchester Airport’s Jonathan Challis and Water Adventure Centre team, a Sale-based organisation which received a £1,110 grant.