Airport Community Trust Fund helps local groups

Manchester Airport

Community groups are celebrating a windfall after sharing more than £27,000 from The Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund.

In total 17 organisations from across Stockport, Manchester, Trafford and Cheshire have all received money this month as part of the airport’s commitment to supporting groups in its local communities.

The Friends of Newton Park, in Broadheath, has received £2,000 to buy outdoor gym equipment for residents to make use of, whilst BeeEducated received £2,797 for beehive equipment.

The VC10 aircraft in the Avro Museum in Woodford will also soon be benefitting from a new cockpit cradle thanks to a £2,730 grant.

Each year, Manchester Airport donates more than £100,000 to the Fund, as well as the income it receives from fines levied on aircraft exceeding noise limits when operating out of the airport.

Started in 1997, The Manchester Airport Community Fund has donated more than £3.25m to over 1,300 local community, social and environmental groups in Greater Manchester.

One such group who received funding is Earlams in Styal Village. Run as a cooperative it’s an exciting community store, café, arts and crafts enterprise. In June 2014 they received £2770.00 to fund new tables and chairs.

Working with local artists and crafts people their work has this week gone on show at the airport’s Community Artwalk located in Terminal Three. Helen White from Earlams, said “The funding from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund was invaluable in fitting out the Arts and Crafts gallery.

“The current exhibition at the airport is an opportunity to showcase the work of over 30 local crafts people to a wider audience and raise the profile of the Earlams enterprise.”