NEWLY-elected Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has stood down from his role as chairman of Teesside Philanthropic Foundation with a 'heavy heart'.
But he said he was 'incredibly proud' to have created a charity that has raised £3m for worthy causes over the past eight years.
He founded the charity in 2011 and will continue in an honorary role but will not longer have any say within the charity, which will now be run by an existing board of trustees comprising local business leaders.
Trustee Paul Davison, director of Teesside firm Erimus Insurance Brokers, said: “Without Andy Preston, this fantastic charity simply wouldn’t exist.
“We’re delighted that Andy has accepted the honorary role of founder, which means he will remain the face of the foundation.”
Middlesbrough-born Andy, who founded the charity with Tanya Garland in 2011, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have set up the Foundation, which has become a force for good on Teesside." He said he remained a supporter.
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