City in the Community (CITC) has regenerated multi-sports pitches at schools across Greater Manchester, thanks to support from the Club and fans.
The Premier League trophy surprised students at Southern Cross School, alongside former Manchester City player and CITC Trustee, Nedum Onuoha, for a blue-ribbon cutting ceremony to open their newly regenerated multi-sports pitch.
The celebration was arranged as part of the charity’s ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative, which raised £250,000 last season and aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating new community football spaces and youth-led projects in Manchester.
Southern Cross School marks the third facility to have been transformed by City in the Community so far this year, with two more due to open in June.
Watch CITC’s LATEST Healthy Goals Video above
To bolster the campaign, City in the Community has announced the launch of a second fundraising window for 2024, enabling the expansion of its existing strategy to empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Manchester City is once again matching all donations made before the fundraising window closes in September 2024, pound-for-pound*.
Commenting on the day, Chris, age 14, said: “It has been amazing to see the Premier League trophy visit our school so soon after Sunday.
“I’ve been a huge City fan all my life, so it’s incredible to see it up close on our new football pitch and it’s been a real honour to represent my school.”
The Premier League trophy enjoyed a double-header of City in the Community visits, as later that evening it then surprised adults and children at the charity’s One City Disability programme.
The Healthy Goals initiative forms part of City in the Community’s commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for people to play. In June 2023, the charity officially opened two new purpose-built recreational areas located at existing parks in Manchester – Scotland Hall Road and Ladybarn Park.
The designs include multi-functional football equipment for all of the community to enjoy, such as various sized pitches and goals, football tennis zones, passing squares, benches and floodlights.
For more information, visit www.mancity.com/healthygoals.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football with city youth. To find out more information, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity on social media.
*Overall, City Football Group will contribute a maximum of £125,000 (GBP) to City in the Community through this campaign or £500,000 (GBP) in total for all City Football Group affiliated charities participating in the campaign (whichever comes first).
