Tees Business | Page 26

CHARITY FEATURE 26 | Tees Business Andy Preston (right), chairman of the Philanthropic Foundation, joins Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson (left) in presenting a Teesside Hero award to BBC Tees football commentator Alastair Brownlee. Forthcoming events for the Philanthropic Foundation include: FIGHTING FOR TEESSIDE TOGETHER T Thanks a million – and thank you for another £700,000 boost too! hat’s the message from an amazing charitable movement whose supporters have raised £1 million for Teesside good causes over the past four-and-a-half years. No sooner were Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation patrons celebrating hitting the £1 million milestone than the charity received an incredible £700,000 boost from an anonymous source. Best of all, every penny raised for fastgrowing Foundation stays here on Teesside, helping the people, community groups, schools and charities that need it most. Founded by Middlesbrough-based businessman Andy Preston in 2011, the Foundation’s philosophy is about the area’s wealthy businesses and individuals joining forces to give money to locals who need it most. Donations from generous patrons and an array of fundraising efforts from bighearted supporters have helped stock local food banks, supported schools in making essential donations to Teesside’s poorest families, provided grants for talented young sports stars and created more than 40 apprenticeships that would not otherwise have existed. The Foundation is also funding Middlesbrough and Teesside Sports Academy, providing opportunities to those in recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism, as well as those who have suffered homelessness. Among more than 40 businesses helping to make Teesside a better place to live, work and do business are Middlesbrough FC, Bulkhaul, Barclays, AV Dawson, Cleveland Cable Company, Charles Clinkard and Tees Business supporters Evolution Business and Tax Advisors, Ecco Finishing Supplies and Erimus Insurance Brokers. But the Foundation is keen to hear from more Teesside companies who want to share their success and help locals who are less fortunate than themselves. For more details visit www.teessidecharity.org.uk or email [email protected]. • Big Tees Sleepout at Middlesbrough College on Friday November 13, sleeping rough for the night to fight local poverty and homelessness. Visit www. bigteessidesleepout.co.uk for details. • Former World Formula 1 champion Damon Hill is guest speaker at a dinner organised by Sporteous UK at Hardwick Hall Hotel on November 20, featuring a threecourse dinner. Tickets from £80 or £750 for a table of 10. Contact 07908 848020 or email info@ sporteousuk.co.uk. • Christmas shopping at Sheffield’s Meadowhall Centre on Saturday November 7, leaving Acklam at 8.30am and returning 5.30pm. Tickets £18 via mandy.s@ teessidecharity.org.uk. • Boogie Wonderland 1970s retro disco at Marton Hotel and Country Club on January 30, featuring Love Train DJs Bernie Inns and Bri Nylon, supported by dancers Disco Dick, Angel Delight and Polly Ester. Contact mandy.s@teessidecharity. org.uk for ticket details. • Other events include a Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in May 2016 and a Golf Day on June 9. ANNUAL DINNER Wynyard Hall Marquee 7pm, Saturday, October 17 Tickets £79 each or £790 for table of 10 3-course dinner & entertainment from X-Factor star Kerrianne Covell Email [email protected]