FORMER Sunderland AFC chairman Sir Bob Murray is to help disadvantaged students by donating a total of £30,000 in scholarships.

Sir Bob, who is now chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University, wants to help students studying on accountancy courses in at the University.

The former Black Cats chairman and founder of the SAFC Foundation will donate a total of £30,000 over the course of six years, awarding five 1,000 scholarships a year to first year undergraduate students.

Sir Bob said: "I am a strong advocate of the power of education to transform the lives of people from all sectors of society.

"My own personal experience is very apt. I finally woke up to the value of education at 16 after I had left school with just one O-level and it took me another ten years to finally qualify as an Accountant and graduate from here.

"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.

Professor Susan Price, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan, added: "We are delighted that we could work with Sir Bob to create scholarships which matched the areas about which he is passionate.

"We are particularly grateful that, as our Chancellor, alumnus and honorary graduate, he is able to give something back to his university by way of making such a significant contribution to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These scholarships will make a huge difference to hard working and talented students by helping them cover the costs of living and studying at university."

The scholarships will be 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.

More Education News