Joining the players and staff on top of the bus through Manchester City centre were three CITC participants, soaking in the atmosphere and celebrations.
Barrie, Reegan and Charlie, all of whom are CITC participants across three different programmes, helped celebrate with Manchester City.
Barrie is a long-term CITC Walking Football participant, consistently turning up to sessions despite some personal challenges in the last year.
Spending limited time out of the house, Barrie uses the walking football sessions as a tool to not only keep fit and healthy, but to socialise with like-minded individuals.
Talking about his experience of the parade he said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. You never know when you’re going to get the next one so I’m buzzing, absolutely buzzing.”
Reegan, a former BTEC participant, now studies with CITC on the Degree programme, in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
Having gone through some medical struggle throughout the year, as well as sudden family loss, Reegan has continued to attend sessions for his studies, being the biggest energy in the room and a real asset to the programme.
Speaking on the day, Reegan said: “It means absolutely everything being here today. This is a dream come true for me.”
Charlie initially started attending CITC sessions on a Tuesday night at One City Disability.
Through discussions with staff, he was introduced to the City Careers programme where he has gone on to complete the employability course, now volunteering his time to help and support others going through the process.
Each participant represented one of CITC’s three core pillars; Healthy People, Healthy Futures and Healthy Communities.
CITC’s trophy bearers Emily and Pete also joined the trio.
Pete, carried about the FA Cup trophy prior to the final, with Emily having presented the WSL trophy after Manchester City Women’s final day of the season.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity on social media.
