North East entrepreneur Helen McArdle has donated £500,000 to support the Foundation of Light in its mission to create opportunities for young people.
Mrs McArdle and her family have donated the funds to support Foundation programmes in a partnership which will see the Helen McArdle Health and Social Care Academy open in the Beacon of Light this year.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist is best known for her work in the care industry, having founded Helen McArdle Care in the 1980s and later Kids 1st Nurseries, dedicating her life to the care and support of people both young and old, having built and operated more than 50 care homes over 30 years, as well as a group of pre-school nurseries.
