Alan Shearer launches charitable foundation

The former footballer said he was inspired by the people he met

Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer has launched his own foundation to support disabled people.

He was joined by fellow Geordies Ant and Dec in Newcastle to launch the Alan Shearer Foundation with the aim of raising £250,000 a year.

In 2006, he donated more than £300,000 from his testimonial match to North East charity St Cuthberts Care.

It was used to complete two specialist developments and the foundation will help the charity expand its support.

The Alan Shearer Activity Centre provides free sensory facilities to disabled people and The Alan Shearer Short Break Centre offers free short breaks to people with complex disabilities.

'Brilliant cause'

Mr Shearer said: "I am in this for the long haul. I love it here. It gives me inspiration.

"Whenever I think I'm having a bad day I come along here and you come here and realise at times how lucky we all are."

Ant and Dec said they were delighted to be involved

Ant and Dec are also patrons of St Cuthberts Care.

Antony McPartlin said: "It's Alan Shearer. And we have seen the work the foundation has done in the past. We have been down here before, we have taken a look around.

"And when Alan asked us to be patrons of it we jumped at the chance because it is such a brilliant cause."

St Cuthberts Care chief executive Austin Donohoe said: "It will enable us to continue to offer free and heavily subsidised facilities but it will also allow us to broaden the scope of our disability provision right across our region, helping even more people with disabilities."