There’s no place like home

The Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland has links across the North East, and has supported hundreds of charities, community groups and grassroots organisations across its 35-year history.

With the majority of its supporters based in the region, the charity has a strong endowment model that sees its invested assets stand at almost £100 million, providing a steady source of support for dozens of organisations each year.

A new giving initiative – the North East Roots Fund – aims to spread its net a little wider, encouraging those with childhood or family links to the region, who have gone on to find success elsewhere, to become supporters of the foundation, not only financially but with their time and expertise too.

John Hollingsworth, chief philanthropy officer, says: “We are looking to build a network of people who want to give back to the region, both financially and non-financially.

“There is a whole diaspora of people born and raised in the region who have gone out into the world and found success – their stories and influence can be really inspiring to people here in the North East.

“We want to tell positive, inspiring stories and to celebrate the region and its broader accomplishments.”

Magnus Willis

Newcastle born and raised, Magnus has a long history with the Community Foundation through his father Peter, who set up a charitable fund with the organisation some 20 years ago in the family name.

Despite living in London for 35 years, Magnus has retained strong links with the city – including his beloved Newcastle United – and is keen to see the Community Foundation flourish by widening its reach around the UK and beyond.

Following a successful career in brand strategy and market research, which included work for clients such as Google, eBay and Facebook, Magnus has strengthened his links with the Community Foundation in recent years and was a founding supporter of the North East Roots Fund.

He says: “I’ve been a big fan of the foundation and its work for a long time – they’ve helped me to give back to the North East, despite living so far away.

“As a result, I was happy to get involved in the North East Roots Fund, and help others get involved in the same way.

“I’ve gone along with the people at the Community Foundation to visit charities that benefit from the Willis Charitable Fund, which is a great chance to see it in action.

“I think the initiative has enormous potential.

“There are lots of people who left the North East and made good.

“The region hasn’t had the riches lavished on it that other areas of the country get, so for some it may be a case of helping to right a few wrongs and wanting to give back and support the region with what it needs to flourish.

“With the fund being relatively new, we’ve only scratched the surface, and our initial efforts have been quite London focused.

“Think what it could achieve if we reach out to North East diaspora based elsewhere in the UK, or even Australia and the US.

“It’s early days, but there is a lot to play for.”

Steve Wooler

With a successful career in engineering consultancy having seen him work on some of the biggest urban regeneration projects in the UK, businessman Steve Wooler is hoping his expertise, as well as his financial support, can have an impact on the North East Roots Fund.

Having stepped back as chief executive of BWB Consulting, which he was instrumental in establishing in Nottingham, and now has offices in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Leeds, Steve is keen to do more to support young people in STEM-based careers.

He says: “I’ve been very fortunate in having had a successful and very fulfilling career.

“At its heart, North East Roots is about tapping into the network of people that understand how investment and regeneration works and overcoming the often significant blockers to investment.

“I’ve done a lot of work over the years to get young people into careers in construction and to pursue education in STEM subject areas.

“And I feel that if we can build a network of successful people, they can encourage and inspire young people by telling stories about their careers and explaining about sectors like construction and engineering that offer good careers but don’t get much positive coverage. Sunderland-born Steve Wooler is aiming to help more young people into STEM-based careers through the North East Roots Fund

“I was born in Sunderland, and left at 18 to go to university and ‘escape’.

“Sunderland in 1978 was really down on its luck; most of its heavy industry was being closed.

“But it’s now undergoing a remarkable renaissance, which I’m delighted to see.

“I haven’t lived in the North East for many years, but I want to help the region fulfil its potential by working with like-minded people.

“And a vehicle like the Community Foundation is the perfect way to do that.”

Community Foundation
www.communityfoundation.org.uk
To find out more about the Community Foundation, its work and how you could support the North East Roots Fund, visit the website or contact – [email protected]