The trustees of Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund awarded financial aid to 15 groups which are working to support communities through the pandemic.
More than ?21,700 was awarded to hospices, sports clubs and neighbourhood groups, based on their positive impact in the community.
Among those who received the grant, Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne received ?3,000 to purchase ten new iPads, to help patients stay in touch with their friends and families.
Anthony Lord, head of income generation and marketing, Willow Wood Hospice said: ?Manchester Airport?s donation will give our patients the opportunity to virtually see and chat with their friends and family, as current restrictions allow only two visitors.?
?Tools like this are vital to allow our patients some normalcy during these times. I am sure they and their loved ones and the staff, appreciate the help by the Community Trust Fund to Willow Wood Hospice,? he added.
Trafford Veterans, Barnados Wythenshawe Centre, the Church of England Wythenshawe and Ladybarn Community Hub, will use their grant to buy jigsaws, activity packs and other indoor games, to help people stay entertained throughout the lockdown.
Meanwhile, Wythenshawe AFC and The Cherry Tree Project in Stockport are using the money to buy sporting equipment for social distancing, when they reopen.
Andrew Cowan, CEO at Manchester Airport, said: ?For more than 20 years, the Community Trust Fund has supported local groups that are making a real difference across Greater Manchester and northern Cheshire. We are proud that it is providing vital support to our neighbouring communities once again, particularly in these challenging times.?
The volunteering campaign organised and led by the furloughed Manchester Airport workers has been busy during lockdown too. The airport partnered with airline catering company Alpha LSG, to deliver close to 3,000 frozen meals to food banks, schools and other organisations in need.
A group of volunteers has sent postcards to hundreds of senior citizens living in Wythenshawe and Herald Green, offering the option of a telephone conversation to help them keep in touch with the wider community. One hundred calls to senior citizens have been made.
Children of airport?s education team and members of the community have created a downloadable education pack for children who have been unable to go to school due to the lockdown.
The Community Trust Fund?s board next meets is scheduled in October, and it is already welcoming applications for up to ?3,000 from local not-for-profit organisations.
Details about application and the eligibility criteria can be found at www.manchesterairport.co.uk/community/working-in-our-community/community-trust-fund.
Every year Manchester Airport donates more than ?100,000 to the Community Trust Fund, alongside the income it receives from fines levied on aircraft exceeding noise limits. The Trust Fund awards a maximum grant of ?3,000.
