THE founder of a new North-East charitable foundation has pledged to hand every penny donated to good causes.

The Graham Wylie Foundation aims to help projects which benefit underprivileged and vulnerable youngsters in the region.

The foundation has been launched by North-East entrepreneur Graham Wylie, the founder of accounts software company Sage.

Mr Wylie says he will meet all running, staff and administration costs himself to ensure every penny raised and donated goes to good causes.

The charity is now inviting grant applications from groups, organisations and charities from across the whole of the North-East.

Projects and causes to be funded could include medical equipment, new buildings, support workers, sporting and youth groups.

The businessman said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to announce the launch of the new foundation.

“While I’ve been heavily involved in the past in raising money for, and donating to, charities across the region, the aim of the Graham Wylie Foundation is to create a new way of giving, which will benefit children in our region for generation after generation after generation.

“We’ll be giving grants to fund equipment, buildings, staff and assets, which will benefit groups of children or young people and which will continue to do so well into the future.”

The Foundation logo features Mr Wylie's own hand print along with a Sage leaf; the lines of the leaf running into the lines of the hand, to represent the helping hand of Sage.

The entrepreneur said two milestones in his own life encouraged him to take fundraising much more seriously, giving him an understanding of the difference he could make to the North-East.

Firstly, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2000.

Fortunately, the disease was caught early and he has now been given the all clear.

Then, seven-years-ago, one of his twin girls needed open heart surgery as soon as she was born.

Kiera is now a happy, healthy little girl, running around with her sister Zhara and enjoying school.

To thank the medical staff who saved his daughter’s life, Mr Wylie became patron of the Children’s Heart Unit Foundation (CHUF), bringing on board his friends and fellow Geordies Ant and Dec, and Alan Shearer, and carrying out extensive fundraising activities.

Mr Wylie says he launched the foundation to step up his efforts to give back to the North-East.

To apply for funding from the foundation, visit www.grahamwyliefoundation.org.uk