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‘Secret Millionaire’ has kept Peterborough play project link
Mike Greene is now the president of New Ark Adventure Playground. Photo � Joel Chant/www.joelchant.com
THE secret millionaire who gave £40,000 to an adventure playground in Peterborough during a Channel 4 show has continued to provide support long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Mike Greene (46), the chief executive officer of a multi-million pound retail consultancy, donated the money to the New Ark Adventure Playground, in Reeves Way.
His philanthropy was recorded on the show The Secret Millionaire on Sunday night, but one of the things that was not shown on screen was Mr Green’s continued support for the project after the show finished filming in June.
Bosses from New Ark are pleased that he has decided to retain such a strong link, which shows his appearance on the show was far from just a simple publicity stunt.
New Ark director Natalie Edghill said: “He has had a continued interest and has stayed in touch since they stopped filming.
“He brought his two daughters down and he said they really loved playing at New Ark.
“£20,000 has gone back into our reserve funds and the other £20,000 we will spend on general running funds.
“Our annual turnover is £200,000 and this will really help us out.”
The self-made millionaire made his fortune advising companies on people’s shopping habits and making property investments.
He lives on the outskirts of Peterborough and said on the programme that he was impressed with the work done at New Ark, which also runs a playgroup and a support service for children with behavioural problems.
At the charity’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 20, Mr Greene was even installed as their president - an honorary position created to thank him for his generous donation.
Natalie added: “He has also been to one of our committee meetings and now he is the president.
“He was nominated at the AGM and everyone agreed.”
New Ark have enjoyed an increase in interest thanks to the show going out on Channel 4 on Sunday night.
Natalie added: “We have already had parents calling in to make bookings after seeing the show.
“Millions of people could have seen it and that is a great thing.
“We still have to fund raise and we are not out of the woods yet, but thanks to the show and the donation things do look better.
“We were never in debt, we were always in the black.
“But this helps us be that bit stronger in our financial footing.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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Ohwhatalife
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 12:44 PMI thought that (how long it would keep it going). But, it was a very clever move by them to get a millionaire on the committee as "president". As long after the 40k has been spent he will still be there and like he said 'it will never close while he is about'. That is the biggest thing to come out of it not the 40k. Best of luck to the centre (and all the others in the city!)
Richard Olive
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 09:53 PMMike Greene's donation was, I'm sure, very welcome but I must admit that I wondered how long it would keep the New Ark afloat for. (I believe the City Council is planning to remove it's £30,000 funding next financial year). The running costs must be quite high even though it is mostly staffed by volunteers. Must still be very good value for money considering the thousands of deprived youngsters that the New Ark has helped. So it's good news that Mike Greene has formed a close relationship.
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