Manchester Airport's Community Trust Fund Distributes Over £30,000 to Local Charities
In its first meeting of 2026, Manchester Airport's Community Trust Fund has committed more than £30,000 in funding to a total of 20 local charities and community projects. Established in 1997 to give back to communities neighbouring the airport, the fund has now pledged over £4 million in donations since its inception.
Managed by a committee of trustees from the local area, alongside representatives from the airport, the fund considers applications from within a 10-mile radius of the airport site. Each group or project can receive a maximum pledge of £3,000, ensuring broad support across the region.
Key Recipients of the Latest Funding Round
Among the beneficiaries, Greater Manchester Blood Bikes received the maximum £3,000 pledge. This volunteer group of motorcyclists delivers blood, plasma, and other medical supplies to NHS hospitals free of charge during nights, weekends, and bank holidays. The funding will be used to purchase Helite Turtle vests for their drivers, which are safety vests with inbuilt airbags.
Russ Harrison, the charity's chair, expressed gratitude, stating, "This grant will help keep our volunteer riders safe as they carry out their vital work delivering medical supplies to NHS facilities across the region. Greater Manchester Blood Bikes relies heavily on the generosity of the public and businesses, as well as the commitment of our wonderful volunteers, to maintain our service for those in need."
Another recipient is Friends of Cowfield Park in Altrincham, which was awarded £1,517. Organiser Mike O’Neill explained, "Friends of Cowfield Park is delighted to have been awarded a grant towards purchasing benches and picnic tables for the community to enjoy. This informal recreation space, known locally as 'The Cowie', has been cherished by generations of children and adults in Oldfield Brow."
The group formed in 2013 when the land was at risk of development and has since worked to improve accessibility, including constructing an all-seasons path for pushchairs and wheelchair users. The new benches and picnic tables will provide resting spots along this path.
Supporting Heritage and Community Activities
Cheadle Civic Society received a £2,995 pledge to install informational signs for a heritage trail in Cheadle. Phillip Gould-Bourn MBE, chairman of the society, said, "We're very grateful to Manchester Airport for the grant, which will support creating a Heritage Trail around our village. This trail will be a valuable community asset, bringing people together to learn about local history—a long-held ambition of the Society that the Airport is helping bring to fruition."
Mobberley Victory Hall Bowling Club in Mobberley, near Knutsford, was granted the full £3,000 for a new specialised mower for its bowling greens. Sylvia Buckley, club secretary, commented, "By supporting this grant application, the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund has not just invested in bowling equipment—it is helping sustain a community asset that promotes social inclusion, intergenerational connection, and the preservation of a valued local tradition."
She added that the donation will allow the club to continue offering safe and engaging sessions for newcomers and long-standing bowlers, while expanding participation to encourage more residents to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of the group.
Commitment to Community Impact
Helen McNabb, Trustee of the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund, highlighted the fund's ongoing commitment, stating, "We’re very proud to serve communities around Greater Manchester and Cheshire—not just by connecting people to their destinations or employing locals, but by actively contributing to community-led projects that make a big difference. The fund has been running for almost 30 years, making an immeasurable impact in sharing the airport’s success with surrounding communities."
She expressed delight in supporting 20 further causes and looks forward to considering more applications in the spring. Applications are considered quarterly and must demonstrate clear and lasting community benefits, with funding directed toward tangible items of longstanding value.
The deadline for new applications ahead of the next quarterly meeting is this Friday, March 13. Details on how to apply for a Community Trust Fund grant, along with the full criteria, are available through the airport's official channels.
