Manchester City have done their bit this Christmas to donate money, thousands of gifts, and hours of support to children across the City.
The year Manchester City club staff coaches, players, and legends have funded, wrapped, and delivered Christmas presents to to every primary school child in East Manchester and every child in the care of Manchester City Council across the city – a combined total of 5,500 presents.
City in the Community donated 500 three-course Christmas meals to local families in East, Central, and South Manchester.
They also donated 45,000 everyday essential items including clothes and toiletries to ten charitable Manchester organisations for distribution to residents over the winter months.
Instead of their usual winter visits to hospitals this term the mens and women’s players made video calls to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, The Christie, Francis House Children’s Hospice and Wythenshawe Starlight Ward.
The men’s players also made a donation to the RMCH to purchase new equipment for the fifth consecutive year, bringing the cumulative total of their donations to the hospital to nearly £80,000.
Since the second lockdown, over 1,000 calls have been made to supporters by staff and players at the Club to tackle isolation and raise the spirits of Cityzens around the world at this difficult time.
And City have actively engaged with university students from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University to deliver insights into the club.
Commenting on the Club’s activities throughout the festive period, Chief Executive, Ferran Soriano said:
“We all know how difficult this year has been and that for some, the festive period will be particularly challenging.
“Our priority was to find ways to connect with those in our community who are most in need, to provide tangible support and let them know that their football club is there for them.
“Thanks to the combined efforts of our coaches, staff, our players and our charity, City in the Community, we have been able to make a difference over this festive period and share some City magic.”
Head of City in the Community, Mike Green, added:
“Manchester City has always had a strong connection with its community, and we have been proud to play our part to support local people since the start of this pandemic.
“We knew that Christmas would feel very different this year and we were determined to find ways of giving and connecting to those in Manchester who need it most.”