Thanks a Million!
Published on: 14th September 2015
Published on: 14th September 2015
We’re proud and delighted to announce that our charitable movement has hit the £1 million fundraising milestone just four years after launching – and every penny has stayed in TS postcodes.
Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation chairman Andy Preston said the charity was “a powerful force for good” in supporting local people and community groups at a time when local government cutbacks had resulted in huge challenges.
The Foundation was set up in 2011 with the aim of helping to make Teesside a better place to live, work and do business.
Much of the Foundation’s fundraising comes through annual donations made by 40 patrons – Teesside companies and individuals who are keen to share their success with others.
Local firms backing the charity include Middlesbrough Football Club, Bulkhaul, Cleveland Cable Company, Charles Clinkard, Cool Blue PR, px Group, Unasys, Barclays Middlesbrough, Devereux Transport and Endeavour Partnership.
The Foundation has funded apprenticeships for almost 50 young people and made dozens of donations to hundreds of Teesside community organisations across Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Hartlepool.
It has funded the Evening Gazette’s Wish Sport project for grass roots sports clubs to the tune of £120,000 over the past four years.
And it runs the Big Tees Sleepout twice a year, with the first five seeing 500 people sleep rough for the night to raise more than £60,000 for local homelessness and poverty charities.
The charity will soon launch Middlesbrough and Teesside Sports Academy, which will utilise a range of sports and activities to help vulnerable Teessiders who have suffered from homelessness or addictions.
Charity chairman Andy Preston, who formed the organisation with Tanya Garland of PR firm Cool Blue in 2011, said: “The Foundation isn’t just a charity. It’s a movement. It’s a powerful force for good, unique in the UK in standing up for the people of one urban area.
“We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed in some way to the Foundation, but raising £1 million isn’t in itself important. What is far more important is that every penny has stayed here on Teesside.
“I think that shows people who aren’t fortunate enough to live on Teesside that something quite astonishing is happening here.
“It’s a tribute to the local passion, pride and patriotism Teessiders feel and share.
“Our patrons drive everything we do. Their inspiring generosity helps us reach right into the heart of our community and support local people who really know how to make things happen.
“We all like to think we do our bit for charity or good causes, but the Foundation is all about making our own small efforts into something big by joining forces under one umbrella.”
Representatives of some of the many Teesside community groups who have benefited from the Foundation paid tribute to the charity.
Brian Jones, chairman of the Stockton-based Moses Project said: “As a direct result of the Foundation’s support, we’ve been able to serve Christmas Day lunch to vulnerable local people for the last few years. There’d be a lot more lonely people at Christmas without them.
“The charity’s donations may not change lives but they do give people who need help that glimmer of hope that helps them get their foot on the ladder towards building a new life.”
Carolyn Bean, chairman-manager of Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club for those with extreme disabilities, said: “We couldn’t have started the club without the support of the Philanthropic Foundation and they’ve continued to support us.
“Teesside is lucky to have a charity like this. Knowing that the business people of Teesside want to give back and share their success with the community is pretty amazing.”
Middlesbrough-born Foundation trustee Nigel Williams, of Bond-Dickinson, said: “There are hundreds of worthy causes we can support but it has always struck a chord with me that the money we raise stays here on Teesside. Charity begins at home! I’m proud to be involved and amazed at how far we have come in such a short time. The fact we have raised a million pounds is testament to the generosity of the people in this area.”
Foundation patron Keith Miller, managing director of Middlesbrough’s Ecco Finishing Supplies, said: “This charity is a one-off and something we can all be proud of. It’s by Teessiders for Teessiders. What better incentive is there to make a donation than knowing every penny helps local people who need it?”
The current list of our generous patrons is:
