Much of the money from the Northern Rock Foundation goes into developing people, but bricks and mortar are also funded by the charity.

One of the most notable new projects its trustees have helped is the footbridge spanning Newcastle's central motorway.

Northumbria University's new foot and cycle bridge will link its city centre campus with its new campus east, which is due to open in September. The bridge, which cost more than £4m, has been supported with a £500,000 grant from the Northern Rock Foundation.

The bridge is six metres wide and spans 95 metres above the motorway and the Metro railway line.

When the foundation gave the money to the university, Leo Finn, chairman of the foundation, said it combined powerful creative visions and the belief our region was worth celebrating.