Macclesfield's prosperity is real, but it is not the whole story.

Macclesfield is a town of striking contrasts. Its market town charm, thriving businesses and affluent neighbourhoods paint a picture of prosperity. But on closer inspection a very different reality emerges, sometimes just a street away. Pockets of serious deprivation exist alongside some of the wealthiest postcodes in Cheshire, and for too many people that proximity changes nothing about the daily struggle they face.

The need is greater than most people realise.

Macclesfield receives less than half the national average in grant funding per person, meaning the charities working hardest in this town have fewer resources than those almost anywhere else in England. This is in part a consequence of perception: Macclesfield's reputation for affluence masks the reality of what is happening in its most deprived communities.

The challenges span every aspect of life:

24% of children in parts of Macclesfield are growing up in relative poverty. There is an 8-year gap in life expectancy between Macclesfield and Wilmslow, a stark reminder that postcode shapes life chances even here in Cheshire. Unemployment in some of Macclesfield's most deprived areas stands at 60%, with around 20% of residents having never worked.

These statistics represent real people: families, young people and older residents who deserve the same opportunities as anyone else in this town.

What the Macclesfield Fund does.

The Macclesfield Fund brings together local businesses, individuals and public sector partners to tackle that inequality head-on. Managed by Cheshire Community Foundation, it funds high-impact grassroots charities working at the sharp end of poverty, health inequalities and educational disadvantage, ensuring the people facing the greatest barriers can thrive.

Every pound donated is pooled with others so your contribution achieves far more than it could alone. Cheshire Community Foundation handles all due diligence and impact reporting so you can give with confidence and see exactly where your money goes.

Our ambition is to raise £150,000 by 2027.

We know this town. We know its charities. And we know that with the right investment behind them, they can change lives. The Macclesfield Fund was created to level that playing field.

Please donate today and be part of that change.

The Macclesfield Fund is managed by Cheshire Community Foundation, Charity Number 1143711. For more information contact Marie-Louise Taylor: Marie@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk or 01606 330607.