The charity’s ‘Healthy Goals’ initiative, which raised £250,000 last season, aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating new community football spaces and youth-led projects in Manchester.
Donate to CITC in 2024 and we’ll match it
The first regenerated pitches were opened at Ravensbury Community School and St Wilfrid’s Primary School – both locations where City in the Community delivers its programmes.
Thanks to the success of last year’s campaign, the charity will open three more regenerated pitches in May, located at Ashbury Meadow, Southern Cross and Holy Name.
As part of the celebrations, 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 bolstering the Healthy Goals initiative by matching all donations made before the fundraising window closes in September 2024, pound-for-pound*.
Donate to CITC in 2024 and we’ll match it
Commenting on the opening of the new spaces and fundraising campaign, City in the Community’s CEO, Michael Geary, said:
“We are thrilled to see the tangible impact of our Healthy Goals initiative, as we unveil regenerated spaces for play in Manchester.
“These multi-sports pitches not only provide opportunities for physical activity but also serve as platforms for fostering education, community spirit, and wellbeing amongst our city’s youth. We are also proud to have been able to offer brand new equipment for the schools to use.
“With the generous support of our fans, we are not just re-building pitches; we are building healthier people, futures, and communities for the next generation in our city.
“Together, we can create even more safe, inclusive spaces where children can thrive, learn, and play in 2024/25.”
Fans are being encouraged to donate through City in the Community’s new monthly Prize Draw, meaning they’re also able to win prizes – including £2,500 and Manchester City signed merchandise.
Entries are £5 per ticket; supporters can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the draw monthly automatically. You have until the 20th of each month to enter.
More on our latest prize winner
Commenting on their newly regenerated pitch, Sarah Brereton, Head Teacher at St Wilfrid’s Primary School, said:
“This pitch is special to us because of the reaction it’s received. The children really have had the most amazing experience. In this area they don’t have an awful lot of anything, so to be able to take part in the design of this pitch and all the different sports they like, the children have just been enamoured with what’s been produced.
“Our children don’t necessarily have the most active or lifestyles, they don’t have a lot of opportunities outside of school. So, the fact that there’s now an area that they want to play on which includes proper equipment and different areas for them to run around, it’s going to make a significant difference to our children.
“We’d like to thank City in the Community for the amazing experience and the amazing opportunities they’ve created for our children. They didn’t need to pick us for this, but we’re very grateful that they did as the difference it’ll make is amazing.”
Sandra, Year 6, had her own centre circle design brought to life. Commenting at the official opening, she said:
“When I got to see our new pitch for the first time I felt really excited that my design was included and that everyone will be able to be play on it and look at it. I’m just so happy to see my name on it as well, I wanted to burst!
“I would like to thank City in the Community for including my drawing and helping me to be more brave generally.”
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).
