They may be one of the biggest football clubs in the world but community is still very important to Manchester United and they were out and about helping raise awareness on a range of initiatives:

  • Edwin van der Sar visited a local school and helped raise awareness of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. The school held a health and fitness day and Edwin visited each class to see what they had learnt during the day and took part in a healthy food tasting session.

  • For Man Utd's New Schools Programme Rio Ferdinand joined in a coaching session at one of the schools that is part of the scheme and presented children with certificates as part of a school initiative called playground leaders, which encourages children to be active at playtime. The Schools Programme aims to make schools self reliant in coaching football.

  • To help launch of impairment specific session on the disability programme a number of first team players from the squad met United's amputee team, six of whom are to play for England at the Amputee World Cup. The amputee squad also took part in a one-off training session with Man Utd Foundation coaches.

  • Owen Hargreaves launched the charity partnership with Christie Hospital for the club, which included acting as a volunteer for the afternoon, making tea and greeting patients.

    For further information on the club's every day community work please click here

    While the Creating Chances Launch was attended by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, here follows a breakdown of Manchester United's Creating Chances beneficiaries:

    PLACES FOR PLAYERS WINNERS

    Each of the following received a £2,000 donation and a player appearance:

    Francis House - Ryan Giggs
    St Mary's C of E Primary School - Edwin Van Der Sar
    Swinton Junior Football Club

    CLUB COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES HIGHLIGHTED

    The following received a £2,000 donation and player appearances:

    Holiday courses at The Cliff - Wes Brown
    Launch of Impatient Specific - Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea
    New Schools Programme - Rio Ferdinand

    CLUB CHARITIES HIGHLIGHTED

    The following received a £2,000 donation and player appearances:

    Christie Hospital - Owen Hargeaves
    Cystic Fibrosis Trust - Michael Carrick

    PROMOTIONAL

    The following promotion work to support Creating Chances was undertaken:

    News of the World 'Your Shot' - Owen Hargreaves

    MAN UTD PLACES FOR PLAYERS RUNNERS UP

    Each of the following received a £2,000 donation:

    Adventure Farm Trust
    AFC Urmston Meadowside
    Black Health Agency
    Catholic Children's Rescue Society
    Children's Society
    Fairbridge Rochdale
    Hale - Well Green Primary School
    Hebden Green Com School
    Homestart
    Kingsway Mini Soccer Centre
    Manchester Futsal Club
    NK Theatre Group
    Oakwood Sports Club
    PACT
    Pendle Forest Sports Club
    Rainbow House
    Shelter
    The Lighthouse Group
    The New Children's Hospital Appeal
    Wellness Children's Charity

    MAN UTD 'YOUR SHOT' COMPETITION WINNER

    Mr Mike Reed, aged 49 from Norfolk, won the Manchester United Your Shot Experience and was able to:

  • Appear in the match day programme
  • Receive a signed shirt
  • Go on a personal Stadium Tour
  • Experience behind the scenes broadcast experience
  • Meet the management
  • Assist/spend time with the ground staff
  • Have a photo with Manager and players
  • Get two seats in the Directors Box with appropriate hospitality
  • Be interviewed by Club channel/radio

    You can return to the Creating Chances index by clicking here