Foundation and Bear Grylls to provide activity packs

Editorial Team

Manchester United Foundation is providing thousands of activity packs for primary school pupils, with a special addition from survival expert Bear Grylls.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Manchester United Foundation has continued its commitment to the young people with whom it usually works on a daily basis in underprivileged areas of Greater Manchester.

The Foundation has produced activity packages, which include a watch, stationery, magazine, worksheets, and some sweet treats. Bonnier Books UK has also donated three titles from Bear Grylls’ publishing portfolio to complete the packs and provide children with some survival tips during this difficult time.

Foundation staff deliver activity packs to schoolsVideo

John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, said:

“These packs are an intrinsic element of the work we are doing right now to give back to our community and make a difference to the young people we work with. We are extremely thankful for the generous donation of books by Bear Grylls and the team at Bonnier. They are a wonderful addition to our packs and will be hugely appreciated by the children and families, offering a sense of escapism when it is most needed.”

Bear Grylls said:

“I’m proud to know that my books will play a small part in helping keep young people in Manchester entertained and motivated during this difficult time. Reading is the ultimate way to gain power, skills and knowledge and to explore new worlds. Those things are now more important than ever.”

A full look at what's inside the activity packs.

The first of the packages were delivered to partner primary schools of Manchester United Foundation, including St. Luke’s R.C. Primary School in Salford, at which a small number of children are still attending during this time.

Julia, 10, said:

“We were doing PE and suddenly everyone got really excited when we saw the bags arrive; it was really cool. I really like Bear Grylls, so it’s really exciting to get one of his books. I love reading, so that will keep me occupied through lockdown.”

Manchester United Foundation staff deliver packs.

Foundation staff have been delivering packs to local schools.

Using funds raised from the Treble Reunion match in May 2019, the giveaway of 1,000 activity packs in collaboration with Bear Grylls and Bonnier is the first of several partnerships planned to provide ongoing support to young people and the local community. The wider initiative aims to supply activity packs and sports equipment, to the value of £50,000, to thousands of children across the region in the coming weeks.

The activity pack giveaways add to the response of Manchester United and the Foundation to the local community, which has already included the donation of funds to partner schools, support of the NHS through meal donations and deliveries of goods to food banks.

For more information please visit www.mufoundation.org/news.

Foundation donates £300K to partner schools article

Manchester United Foundation is continuing to support the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
United to deliver 60,000 meals to NHS staff article

MU Foundation will fund an initiative to provide hospital staff with food across Greater Manchester.
Foundation continue to support community article

The charitable work includes deliveries to foodbanks, working with schools and online activities for kids.
Coronavirus: A guide for United fans and visitors article

Our round-up of key information now reflects the proposed dates for resuming first-team football.