ORGANISATIONS in Middlesbrough are celebrating the donation of professional advice and support to various community groups.

Over the past four years the Tees Valley Tomorrow Professional Firms Group (PFG) has donated almost £500,000 worth of free business advice and support to more than 100 community organisations to help with the regeneration of the area.

The Tees Valley Tomorrow PFG is a network of local professional firms which carries out one-off projects such as feasibility studies, structural surveys, marketing and business plans. The work is carried out in the same way as for fee-paying customers, the only difference being the client is not charged.

The milestone 100th project consisted of a package of professional advice and technical support given by architects The Dewjoc Partnership to Hardwick Tomorrow. The architects supported the design of a new community centre for the Hardwick area of Stockton.

Hugh McGouran, manager of Hardwick Tomorrow, said: "We are extremely pleased to work with local business The Dewjoc Partnership and the PFG in the regeneration of the Hardwick area.

"Thanks to their support we will ensure that the members of our community get the facilities they want and deserve."

Andy Gregory, a partner in The Dewjoc Partnership, explained why his company is a member of the Tees Valley Tomorrow PFG: "I believe it is important that organisations such as ours should work in partnership with the community and be able to contribute to the regeneration of the Tees Valley.

"Involvement with the PFG gives us the opportunity to enhance our awareness of economic and social issues which have an impact on our business."

John Irwin of Story Sons and Parker who chairs the Tees Valley PFG said: "The commitment of our members has considerably contributed to the survival and development of many community organisations."

He said the group has improved the lifestyle of a vast number of people living in Teesside, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

Set up four years ago as a business in the community initiative, the Tees Valley Tomorrow Professional Firms Group has seen membership by professional firms reach 59 making it one of the biggest in the country.

The PFG provides assistance in areas as diverse as architecture, legal advice, accounting, business consultancy and engineering.

As a further part of its growth strategy the Tees Valley PFG is aiming to enlist the support of members to provide high-quality, planned work experience placements for further education, sixth form students. This will help students to fulfil part of their curriculum as well as giving them a change to sample a potential career path.

Mr Irwin said: "We are keen to hear from any business organisation which would like to put something back into the Tees Valley community.

"It is a perfect opportunity to actively use professional expertise to make a difference."

For information about the PFG, contact Esmond Black on (01642) 384515