The funding will help the Trust to reach more people across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast and forms part of our long-standing commitment to support the armed forces community.
Through its Armed Forces programme, Blackpool FC Community Trust provides a range of initiatives such as coffee mornings, sports events and peer support groups, as well as one-to-one support for individuals facing challenges such as unemployment, isolation, PTSD and substance misuse.
Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Air sector, said: “As a business with roots in Lancashire, we understand how critical it is to support those who work to protect our nation, past and present. The Blackpool FC Community Trust is delivering important and impactful support for the armed forces community here and we’re proud to help the team with its work.”
The new donation is the latest in a series of funding commitments to support the armed forces community in Lancashire. It follows a £140,000 donation to two other local trusts – AFC Fylde and Blackburn FC Community Trusts – taking the Company’s total commitment in the region to £190,000 since 2024.
Matt Hilton, Deputy CEO of Blackpool FC Community Trust, said: "We’re grateful for the support from BAE Systems.
“This new funding will allow us to significantly increase our capacity, reaching more veterans, delivering more provision and strengthening our community engagement across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast."
As the UK's sovereign combat air provider, BAE Systems plays a central role in the region, sustaining skilled jobs and an extensive supply chain that supports both national security and local prosperity.
The Company was a founding signatory to the UK’s Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 – a commitment to the support and fair treatment of all those who have served in the armed forces – and has committed more than £18m globally to the armed forces community over the last five years through direct donations, sponsorship, and employee fundraising and volunteering.