CITC participants were invited to the City Football Academy to get together and have some festive fun.
This year, up to 800 nursery and primary school children attended the Winter Wonderland event which saw everything from Zorb Football to Tug of War.
Some of the Manchester City Under 18’s squad made an appearance and got involved in the festive games.
Debbie Jackson, a Year Six teacher from Barlow Hall said: “Today has been a great day and the kids have loved it. This is a day that they’ll remember and take with them.”
Meanwhile, up to 150 participants were part of the festivities at the One City Disability Christmas party. Everybody was on the dance floor getting into the Christmas party spirt.
Even Moonbeam and Moonchester got involved in the fun as they joined participants for a dance at the disco, where former City player Nedum Onuoha even did a bit of DJing.
One participants parent commented: “Everyone was very friendly. It was a very well planned and managed Christmas party, that made sure everyone had the best time and felt included. We loved the welcoming fun and festive atmosphere.”
Even CITC’s youngest participants came to party!
Our City Play Together party was full of smiles with a special visit from Santa and Moonbeam. From pass the parcel, to Christmas stories, this party brought the festive fun for 20 families in the community.
One parent who attended the City Play Together party said: “It was great to be able to meet other parents and children from our play group. It was great fun! We loved the inclusivity, and everyone was so friendly.”
Participants from CITC’s Walking Football and ReminisCITY programmes also got involved in the Christmas fun, with up to 60 participants coming together to enjoy a festive dinner followed by a sing and a dance at the Etihad Stadium, alongside former City stars Alex Williams MBE, Brian Kidd and David White.
City Play participants provided each participant with a handmade Christmas card, spreading some extra festive cheer.
They even had an extra special surprise from City Women’s manager Gareth Taylor and defender Kerstin Casparij.
A ReminisCITY participant at the party explained: “I loved the way it was organised. We were made to feel extremely welcome by the lovely staff. The food provided was delicious, the entertainment brilliant, and I loved the live band!”
Manchester City, its fans, and staff, have come together to support young people across the city of Manchester through the Club’s festive community campaign, ‘0161 Christmas Calling’.
‘0161 Christmas Calling’ included gift giving, community events and fundraising, so far raising a total of £175,000 and counting.
Funds raised will support City in the Community programmes, including those delivered at both Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, as well as helping to regenerate safe spaces for patients to play.
Since early November, the Club has been donating £5 to its charity, City in the Community (registered charity no. 1139229), for every purchase a fan makes from a range of selected Christmas retail items.
Alongside this, the Club has been matching donations made by fans and staff to City in the Community (with the overall MCFC donation reaching £75,000*).
The Club has also continued its support of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House through the donation of more than 1,760 gifts, funded by the men’s squad, to children staying in the hospital over the festive period.
Players from both the men’s and women’s first teams handed out the gift bags in person when they surprised young patients with a visit last week.
The ‘0161 Christmas Calling’ campaign is live until Tuesday 31st December, meaning fans can still make donations to top-up the total.
To make a donation, or find out more about the campaign, visit www.mancity.com/Christmas Calling.
*Fair Isle Christmas jumper, 4 in a row Christmas jumper, Gonk plush, Santa teddy plush, Bertie plush, Manchester City’s PUMA home kit for the 2024/25 season.
**MCFC will donate £5 for each product* sold and will match donations made to Manchester City F.C. City in the Community Foundation (registered charity no. 1139229) during the period of 07 November 2024 to 31 December 2024 up to a maximum of £75,000 in total.
