FORMER Sunderland chairman Sir Bob Murray is to award five Leeds Metropolitan University Accounting & Finance undergraduates a £1,000 scholarship.

Sir Bob, who is chancellor of the university, selected five students for the funding which will help towards living costs and university expenses, following an interview and application process.

Sir Bob is best known for his chairmanship of Sunderland AFC, but he has been a leading business figure in Yorkshire for the last 43 years; he is also heavily involved with charitable causes and is a passionate supporter of education. At his installation as Chancellor of Leeds Met in January, Sir Bob announced he would donate a total of £30,000 for disadvantaged students over the course of six years, awarding five 1,000 scholarships a year to first-year undergraduate students. The scholarship recipients included students Danielle Leonard, Liam Hawksworth and Forida Uddin.

Nineteen-year-old Danielle, from the North-East, said the scholarship would give her the ability to obtain all the resources needed to enhance her studies without needing to worry about the cost.

Danielle said: "It means a lot to me to be awarded this scholarship. It gives me the extra income to pay for travel costs from my accommodation to university and the library. I feel very lucky to have been chosen and I am extremely grateful to Sir Bob for this amazing gesture."

Sir Bob said: "I didn't get the opportunity to progress straight to university and know it can be difficult for a lot of students and their families. I would like to demonstrate my belief in and commitment to the university by extending a helping hand to some students during my chancellorship.

The scholarships are available to students on courses in Accounting and Finance-related subjects, from the North of England and from low income families earning less than £25,000 per year.