Wythenshawe-based organisation Wythenshawe AFC has received £9600 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to help mark the Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Wythenshawe AFC has received the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All Programme, which provides almost £80 million of National Lottery funding to local projects across the UK every year.

The Wythenshawe Queens Platinum Jubilee Event will take place at Wythenshawe AFC for the local community of Wythenshawe. The Wythenshawe Community has been hit hard over the past 2 years caused by the global pandemic this has impacted our communities pockets, livelihoods, mental states, health and well being.

Wythenshawe AFC, who are the only community owned football club in South Manchester helps close to 1200 players, volunteers and members deliver hundreds of hours community support through sport and community activities each and every week.

The grant will help us bring our community together to celebrate the Queens Jubilee as a huge family and increase our own and other local groups awareness to activities and services we can offer in our wonderful town.

On Friday 3rd June we will be hosting a street party, alongside a lot of activities hosted by Wythenshawe AFC and other local groups, looking to bring the whole community together.
Some of these activities that will take place are;

• Music and dance acts performed by local artists groups and bands throughout the day.
• Food and refreshments for local people to access
• Coaching and life skills
• Workshops to provide people with new volunteer and works placements
• Bouncy castles wonderlands
• Football and multi sport sessions
• Open access to local community business stalls
• Facepainting and other recreational activities
• Local Community group engagements such as Eden Project, Wythenshawe Good Neighbours, Martial Arts, Samaritans and others

Carl Barratt, Chair of Wythenshawe AFC, said: “I would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund for given us the opportunity through the Queens Platinum Jubilee grant, to bring together such a large group of local people, to help celebrate this momentous occasion at our wonderful site in the heart of Wythenshawe. Their funding has allowed us to reach out further and wider in the community and put together this fantastic event and help spread the word about what we and other groups can offer the people of Wythenshawe”.

To mark this momentous year of celebration, The National Lottery Community Fund launched the £3.5 million Platinum Jubilee Fund in November last year, providing grants of up to £50,000 to 70 impactful community projects across the UK to build connections and create a fitting and lasting legacy for their communities.

As the Platinum Jubilee forms part of a significant year of celebration and national pride, The National Lottery Community Fund has committed an additional £1 million to a further 21 community groups to ensure as many people as possible can come together to mark this momentous occasion.

The Platinum Jubilee weekend itself (2nd – 5th June 2022) will also be celebrated with The Big Jubilee Lunch. Supported by £2.3 million of National Lottery funding, this Jubilee-focused version of the annual Big Lunch event will see people from all over the UK come together to hold thousands of Big Jubilee Lunches, giving them the opportunity to mark the commemorative event while getting to know their local community.

Blondel Cluff CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are delighted to be supporting communities to prosper and thrive during a celebratory year for the United Kingdom. Thanks to National Lottery players, Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be marked by events and activities across the country, including here in Wythenshawe, that bring people together to build friendships and connections. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact this momentous occasion will have on people’s lives.”

There is still time to get involved, if you are a local community group or member and would like more information please fee free to contact Rachel on clubhouse@wythenshaweafc.com