Christmas Message: Enhancing connections, outcomes and opportunities through football

Paul Clark, Chairman of MK Dons Community Trust, reflects on a year of positive outcomes and discusses how football will continue to improve lives across Milton Keynes in 2026

Christmas is often viewed as a time for celebration and reflection in equal measure.

As Chairman of MK Dons Community Trust, I can say with total confidence that our team can be proud of its work to bring positive outcomes and new opportunities to those living in the city and its surrounds in 2025.

Since joining the Trust in May, we’ve made great progress to enhance our connections and be creative with how those who require our support can access it.

I’m a big believer in collaboration. And by linking arms with community groups, charities, schools, businesses and national institutions, the Trust is well placed to continue with our work to engage more people, tackle more societal issues and – ultimately – create a better Milton Keynes.

Our recent CEO Sleepout is a shining example of this.

I was especially proud to join colleagues for a night under the stars – or more specifically a night in the company of Storm Claudia - at Stadium MK to support several charities working to reduce levels of homelessness in the city.

At the time of writing, £49,800 has been raised by more than 50 participants.

It proves to me that by bringing together groups and individuals aspiring to achieve a particular outcome to the benefit of local people under the umbrella of the football club, we can raise money that has a real impact on our community.

It’s something we certainly plan to do more of in 2026 as we continue to optimise the use of our four community facilities – Tattenhoe, Brooklands, Woughton-on-the-Green and Fairfields in addition to Stadium MK itself.

Another key focus point is our engagement with the younger generation, and considering how our programmes and partnerships can be delivered to maximise impact locally.

Historically, our delivery to children and young adults has centred around our holiday camp delivery – which remains a core part of our offering.

Already this year, we’ve upscaled our work with Thames Valley Police to deter those at risk of being drawn into anti-social behaviour from doing so to take those positive outcomes to the next level.

But enhancing our levels of unrestricted funding – in addition to our existing work with funders like the Premier League – is a key priority so we can develop programmes where outcomes are tailored to local requirements and the needs of children in Milton Keynes.

This ambition extends to collaborating with more schools, where our team of experienced and qualified community coaches can deliver tailor-made physical education and extra-curricular programmes to keep young people engaged with their studies.

Much of this work takes place behind the scenes and is showcased across our own digital channels, whereas people might be more familiar with our matchday operation.

Community Corner has been a huge success this season, connecting nurses, carers, teachers, veterans and families with our great club. It’s been a positive outlet for members of our weekly Adult Physical Activity sessions too, which are delivered in partnership with MK Admiral Nurses.

They connect those living with a neurological condition – such as dementia – with our coaches, and respite provided for carers in the process. I was touched to hear of Josie and Peter Randall’s experience of the sessions recently, if you haven’t read their story it is most definitely worth a read.

A 600-word column will only ever scratch the surface of the Trust’s operation.

It’s a real team effort made possible by those who fund our work, our partners, the club, its owner Fahad Al Ghanim, participants and of course our excellent team who have gone above and beyond this year with an enthusiasm to deliver even more impact in 2026.

On behalf of us all, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Paul Clark, Chairman of MK Dons Community Trust.