A MYSTERY donor has boosted the funds of a new charity by giving £15,000 anonymously.

The donation means that the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation has already surpassed its first year target of raising £100,000 to redistribute to worthy causes across the area.

In fact, the foundation has pledges of £115,000 from businesses and individuals - and is now looking for applications for help.

Founder and trustee, local businessman Andy Preston said: "I took a call out of the blue from someone who very much wants to help the area - in fact they grew up here but now live elsewhere.

"He gave £15,000 but wanted to stay under the radar and remain anonymous.

"This is typical of the kind of strong feelings having Teesside in the blood engenders and the very reason we have been so successful so quickly.

"We are a registered charity set up by Teessiders for Teessiders.

"Our purpose is simply to raise and allocate funds to assist community groups that need a bit of help."

The charity aims to make a real difference to the lives of the 400,000 people who live in the area and to let the outside world know that Teesside has community spirit and a sense of fairness.

The foundation is looking for funding applications from community groups which will then be evaluated against a range of criteria, the most important being that there is real benefit to the community through the project.

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a patron, or wanting to apply for funding, is asked to go to teessidecharity.org.uk