The head of membership at Abta has joined the board of the Teesside Airport Foundation.
Danny Waine, from Tees Valley, is one of three newly appointed board members seeking to share their expertise to help make the charity a success.
The Teesside Airport Foundation, which was launched in November last year, aims to support people in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesborough, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar and Cleveland to achieve their ambitions in education and employment and to assist in the regeneration of the area.
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“Coming from the Tees Valley and having gone to school just down the road from the airport, the charity is close to my heart,” Waine told Travel Weekly.
“As a kid, my great uncle would often take me to the public viewing platform at the airport as I was fascinated by the aircraft which is what inspired me to pursue a career in travel and tourism.
“The opportunity to join the board of the Teesside Airport Foundation builds on my passion for championing talent, breaking down barriers for people and enables me to give back to the Tees Valley community.
“Besides the technical skills and experience of being involved in various boards and committee, I bring enthusiasm, commitment and drive that is needed between board meetings to make things happen and help ensure the charity is a success.”
The charity will soon begin donating money and expects to give grants of £500-£2,000 to applicants who fit with its goals.
“The foundation is attempting to raise a minimum of £100,000 in the next 12 months so that it can start to help people in the Tees Valley that need it,” said Waine.
“It is entirely reliant on donations and receives no public funding. In the coming year we intend to launch a number of events and engage local business people to start supporting the charity and hope to start issuing grants to local people.”