Young people from across the North East can look forward to a brighter future after one leading North East charity stepped in to support another.
The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation has donated £50k to Newcastle United’s official charity arm, Newcastle United Foundation, which is constructing a state-of-the-art community hub in the city’s West End.
NUCASTLE, at the former Murray House community centre site at Diana Street, will be geared to providing activities and skills training for those aged from five to 24 to improve their life and career prospects.
And the investment will be used to develop the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation Room, a dedicated learning facility on the first floor of the centre, which will also be the new home of Newcastle United Foundation.
NUCASTLE and the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation Room will be open seven days per week, including during school holidays.
It will enable young adults to gain key personal and employment skills and will also serve as an accessible base for extracurricular learning and an outreach centre for local schools.
NUCASTLE also aims to improve physical fitness with high-quality indoor sports facilities for people of all ages and abilities.
Sage founder, Sir Graham Wylie, launched his Foundation to help, educate and inspire children and young people across the North East and, as he personally meets all its running costs, every penny raised goes directly to where it is most needed.
A keen Newcastle United fan, Sir Graham, whose current business interests include Close House golf course, Speedflex and IT company TSG, said Newcastle United Foundation’s aims “align with ours.
“Children love football – particularly here in the North East,” he said. “And this new building has the potential to transform the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of young people.
“Not just through football, but by educating and inspiring them to reach their potential and really make something marvellous of their lives.”
Sarah Medcalf, Deputy Head of Newcastle Foundation, said NUCASTLE will “help children and young people learn and become more active, more employable, healthier and fitter.
“NUCASTLE will be a unique facility in the city, offering support, coaching and mentorship for younger generations, in particular, who are among the hardest hit by the impact of the Covid-19 crisis.
“With the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation alongside us, we pledge to provide lasting opportunities for people of the North East.”
Construction of the centre started in November 2020 and it is expected to open in March 2022.
For more information on the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation and its work, visit www.sirgrahamwyliefoundation.org.uk