Trustees on board for charity success

New charity the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation has appointed a board of Trustees to steer the organisation’s future.

Since its formation the charity has proved an overwhelming success and has created a model for others to follow, having raised £170,000 in the first few months.
The Board consists of Andy Preston, whose brainchild the local charity was, fellow founding member Tanya Garland, John McCullagh and Mark Bolland.

Former Hedge fund manager Andy grew up in Middlesbrough and returned to the North East after a successful career in the City. He now runs a property development company Green Lane Capital.
Andy wanted to help community groups and causes that might fall between the cracks of other charitable funding and not be able to carry on. He felt the time was right for those in a more fortunate position – like himself – to step in and help.
He enlisted the help of Tanya Garland, who is the managing director of nationally acclaimed communications agency, Cool Blue which has its HQ in the town. She takes an active interest in raising the awareness of Middlesbrough’s businesses and assets to audiences across the UK.
John McCullagh is also Teesside born-and-bred. He served a mechanical apprenticeship with the Head Wrightson Machine Company and now, along with his brothers Rolf and Tim, is a Director of MMC Group.
Mark Bolland grew up in Middlesbrough, where both his parents were born. Mark now runs his own communications consultancy in London, having previously worked for HRH The Prince of Wales. He maintains a deep commitment to Middlesbrough, where much of his family live.
Andy said: “We’ve got off to a great start. I’ve found that when I approach people to ask for support they are more often than not glad to have the opportunity to help the local area.
“Teesside is a unique place – it has an appealing personality that you have to experience to understand – which is why we have been so successful in attracting patrons from the area who are now based around the world.
“Our aim is to take the MTPF even further and our next steps are twofold: to create new apprenticeships aimed at getting those who are currently furthest away from employability to a state of work readiness and to continue to assist some of the most deserving, but hard-up community groups in our area.”
The MTPF has also teamed up with Teesside University (THES University of the Year 2010), drawing on its special knowledge of communities and business across Teesside, helping it to make more informed decisions on which projects to support and launch.
Professor Tracy Shildrick and Dr John Blenkinsopp have both been welcomed as founding members of the Academic Advisory Panel.