Funds raised will uplift the physical and mental health of local young people by creating new community football pitches in Manchester, where the charity’s youth led programmes will be delivered.
Manchester City is matching all donations to the Healthy Goals initiative made before the fundraising window closes in September 2023.*
Commenting on the launch, Head of City in the Community, Michael Geary, said: “Healthy Goals embodies what City in the Community’s ethos is all about – getting people in Manchester more physically active in safe, inclusive environments.
“We will soon be opening two new refurbished football pitches in Manchester, and this initiative represents our commitment to build on their legacy by creating more community football spaces.
“Not only will these new spaces be available for the local community to enjoy recreational football, but they will also enable City in the Community to deliver its outreach projects, such as Kicks and half-term Soccer Schools, in more locations around the city.
“Between now and September, fans will be able to get involved in an array of fundraising events to support the initiative, such as the soon to be announced Etihad Abseil!
“We’d like to express our sincere thanks to Manchester City matching donations towards Healthy Goals and hope that our supporters can join us in making football more accessible for Manchester youth.”
Fans can also play their part by donating through City in the Community’s new text-to-donate service**:
Text HEALTHY to 70201 to give £1.
Text HEALTHY to 70331 to give £3.
Text HEALTHY to 70970 to give £5.
Text HEALTHY to 70191 to give £10.
City in the Community participant, Kurtley, took part in the charity’s Kicks sessions – one of the programmes which will be delivered at the new football spaces built through Healthy Goals - for many years.
Commenting on its impact, he said: “What I enjoy most about City in the Community’s sessions is that I get to play football and make new friends. It really helped me to get out of my comfort zone; making me feel good and like a better person.
“Before I came to City in the Community, I didn’t speak English at all, but the coaches really helped me to get involved and learn the language whilst playing football. We really built a formidable bond.”
Another participant, Leila, added: “Coming to City in the Community sessions is like a break from everything else that I do - with just finishing high school, it became a real outlet.
“Joining the sessions has helped with everything from football skills to communication skills and leadership skills, so I’m really pleased to see that City in the Community has committed to creating more spaces where young people like me can play and learn.”
The launch of Healthy Goals is being celebrated by Manchester City and City in the Community at the men’s home fixture against West Ham later today (Wednesday, May 3).
Fans will be able to access bonus community content across the matchday programme, City Square events, our live City Studios show and during half-time.
The matchday activities will also help to raise bonus funds for Healthy Goals, through the donation of all matchday programme profits, a hospitality raffle and donation points within the Manchester City store.
The Manchester City squad are also donating their match-worn shorts from the game, which will later be signed and auctioned off online for fans to purchase, with all profits raised on the day being matched by the Club*.
City in the Community participants are also being given once-in-a-life time opportunities, including mascot spaces, taking part in a team photo on the pitch before kick-off and announcing the players off the bus on the blue carpet.
Local primary school children, who take part in City in the Community projects, have even been given the chance to draw pictures of their favourite Manchester City players, with the designs being used in matchday digital assets, including the starting line-up.
City in the Community, Manchester City’s charity, empowers healthier lives with Manchester youth through football. To find out more about its work, visit www.mancity.com/CITC.
For more information about the Healthy Goals initiative, including a FAQs document, visit www.mancity.com/HealthyGoals.
*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).
** Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme, operating as DONATE, a charity registered in England and Wales (1149800) and Scotland (SC045106). In addition to any text donation, you will incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org
