DIGITAL entrepreneurs who form part of the cluster based at DigitalCity Businesses' Boho One have joined together to become a corporate patron of the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

Founder of the charity, Andy Preston, also based at Boho One with his company Green Lane Capital, has now enlisted the financial support of three other companies based there – Audacious, Calm Digital, and Thap.

Bianca Robinson, director of Calm Digital learned about the charity after chatting with Andy. “Straight away I could see what a great idea it was and I was interested immediately as Calm is keen to give something back to the wider community,” she said.

“We really believe in Andy and his vision for the charity – it empowers people to take pride in the area where they are living and working.”

Calm Digital also created a website for one of the first local groups to receive a grant from the charity, the South Bank Boxing Club.

Tom Howsam, director of digital specialists and multi-discipline creative company Thap, has also pledged his support for the Foundation.

Tom said: “I just think it’s a great all-round charity, there was no publicity reason for supporting it. They have some great projects and they really help local communities.”

And making up the trio of support is Audacious, founded by IT entrepreneurs Kevin Mann and Rachel Burns.

Rachel said: “Kevin and I had built into our business plan a way that we could 'give back' to the world. Couple that with the fact that we have a heart for this area, and it just made sense to get involved.”

All three companies will work with the Foundation to support local individuals and community groups.