Foundation and Bear Grylls to provide activity packs

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.

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.”

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.”

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.