Yahoo Sports Seven ways CITC supported local fans this Christmas
Manchester City's charity, City in the Community, has been supporting local people with free events, local charity donations and volunteering throughout the festive period.
As part of the Club's '0161 Christmas Calling' campaign, the charity put together a calendar full of community support initiatives. Here are our seven highlights...
Winter Wonderland at the City Football Academy
Up to 800 pupils and supporting teachers from local primary schools attended a free Christmas festival at the CFA with City in the Community and our Under-18s squad.
The event saw children take over the indoor pitch where they enjoyed inflatable games, arts and crafts and free goodie-bags. There was even time for a special visit from Santa Claus, Moonchester and Moonbeam.
One City Disability Disco
Up to 150 One City Disability participants and their families attended a special festive disco party at the Etihad Stadium.
The youngsters, who are supported all year round by bespoke City in the Community sessions, enjoyed a festive buffet, goodie-bags, dancing with the mascots and taking photos with Manchester City trophies.
There was also a special appearance from former Manchester City player and CITC trustee, Nedum Onuoha, who spent some time in the DJ booth and talking with families.
Senior Citizens Christmas party
Up to 60 senior citizens and young carers attended a free Christmas lunch at the Etihad Stadium with CITC.
Guests were able to enjoy their food whilst listening to some live music from Martin, Manchester City Tours Team, and his band, Band Age.
The citizens and young carers were also surprised by former players Brian Kidd, Alex Williams MBE, David White and Gareth Taylor, as well as a group of Manchester City Women's players.
Early Years Christmas party
Up to 40 toddlers, aged between two and five, and their families attended a Christmas party at the City Football Academy with CITC.
City in the Community's younger City Play Together participants enjoyed some arts and crafts, fun games and a story from Santa with their families. They even had some very special guests - Moonchester and Moonbeam!
£10,000 donated to local charities
CITC donated £10,000 to five local charities, including a women support centre, Emmie's Kitchen and three food banks in East Manchester, Central Manchester and Wythenshawe, providing 513 food packages and over 500 welfare packages for local people and families.
Staff charity volunteering
Local charities Supporting People in Need, Emmeline's Pantry, Emmies Kitchen, The Stirling Centre and The Grange Food Pantry, were supported by 112 volunteers from City Football Group staff.
Man City kit donations
CITC supported a further 15 charities with kit donations to help young people and vulnerable adults enjoy free Man City merchandise over the Christmas period.
City in the Community CEO, Michael Geary, said:
“The work City in the Community delivers as part of the Christmas campaign always makes me proud but 2024 has been more impactful than ever.
“Welcoming around 1,000 members of the public to the City Football Academy to enjoy free celebrations has been extremely enjoyable for our staff, and I hope it’s helped to create special memories for our guests.
“I am also especially proud of our teams, as well as Club staff and players, for engaging with external charities through time and donations.
“Community has always lived at the heart of Manchester City Football Club and, although we are committed to empowering healthier lives through football all year round, we really enjoy coming together for bespoke activities at Christmas time.”
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 earlier this week.
The ‘0161 Christmas Calling’ campaign is live until Tuesday 31 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/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.
