Jill Roord and Naomi Layzell took time out to meet young people and their families at the Ronald McDonald House Manchester, which provides a free ‘home away from home’ and support for families of children being treated at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and St Mary’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The pair were able to join in a newly created City in the Community session at the House, which aims to give patients the opportunity to enjoy physical activity alongside their siblings, before handing out Manchester City gifts.
Speaking at the visit, Roord said: “To have a place which young patients can call a home away from home, where they can enjoy activities and things to do, it hopefully will great a positive distraction and brighten their day.
“I am really pleased we were able to come today. It was great to spend some time here and learn about the new City in the Community sessions.
“It makes me proud to know that the Club’s Christmas campaign is supporting projects like this.”
Ronald McDonald House Manchester House Manager, Sally Cannon, added: “At Ronald McDonald House Manchester, we provide so much more than just a room for the night, for the families of sick children in hospital.
“With support from local charities like City in the Community, we’re able to help families create happy memories together, which is really special, particularly at Christmas when being together with loved ones is so important.
“On behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, I’d like to thank Manchester City for supporting us not only with their Christmas campaign, but with a pledge to continue that support into the New Year. It means so much to families going through the worst times imaginable.”
The surprise was arranged to help celebrate City’s Christmas campaign, 0161 Christmas Calling, which was launched last month and supports City in the Community’s work with young hospital patients.
For every purchase a fan makes from a range of selected retail items*, including the ‘0161’ inspired PUMA home kit for the 2024/25 season, the Club will donate £5 to its charity, City in the Community (CITC) (registered charity no. 1139229).
This year’s Christmas retail shop is open now, in store and online, featuring new festive gifts for 2024. Items which include a £5 donation to City in the Community through the Christmas campaign are:
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
Manchester City is also matching any additional donations made to the charity, to help increase overall funds up to the value of £75,000**.
Fans can donate at the tills in the stadium store, when checking out online during their purchase journey for match tickets, or via this donation page.
Funds raised will go towards supporting CITC’s existing programmes, including a new year-round project with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, as well as a refurbished space for patients to play football.
Head of Operations at City in the Community, Lisa McKay, added: “The 0161 Christmas Calling campaign is so important as it will help to ensure that Manchester City’s charity can support young hospital patients and their families all-year-round.
“We don’t just want to visit the hospital and house one day a year then leave; we want to ensure that our coaches are able to deliver in-reach programmes that will have a lasting impact.
“I’d also like to say a special thank you to all the fans who are supporting the initiative this season.”
Fans can also support the campaign by bidding on a series of ‘Definitely Maybe’ match-issued shirts, each co-signed by Noel Gallagher and a Manchester City player.
WIN A MATCHWORN NOEL GALLGHER CITY SHIRT
Elsewhere, City in the Community will also be delivering a calendar of festive activities in December to support families who need it most. This includes donating free Christmas Day meals to foodbanks and welcoming hundreds of local people to the City Football Academy for various celebrations.
Manchester City will also continue its annual support for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital through donating gifts to children who are staying in hospital over the festive period.
Cityzens can also nominate fellow Cityzens and City-loving friends or family who deserve an unforgettable treat this Christmas, in the annual Cityzens Christmas Suprise campaign, with nominations open now HERE.
To shop and support City in the Community this Christmas, visit: www.mancity.com/shop
For more information, visit www.mancity.com/ChristmasCalling
*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.
