Derby day with purpose

This weekend, Sunderland AFC welcome Newcastle United to the Stadium of Light. And while the derby always brings its fair share of passion, this one carries something bigger than bragging rights as fans can donate to provide North East children with free sports sessions. 

Donations will be doubled by the North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’s Region of Sport fund, up to £50,000, and matched in-kind by the sporting foundations. That means each donation will provide triple the impact, and three times as many sports sessions and holiday camp places for children in our region. 

This means the Wear-Tyne clash becomes a moment to rally behind every child in our region   through the Together Through Sport campaign, which is part of Mayor Kim’s Region of Sport initiative. 

Every donation helps create free places on holiday programmes and free sports sessions in schools, safe spaces where children can build confidence, make friends and feel like they belong. 

Fans, mascots, players and supporters will stand shoulder to shoulder for a cause that matters far beyond the 90 minutes, with the opportunity to donate by texting TOGETHERFIVE to 70085 or visiting www.justgiving.com/campaign/sport to give online. 

This landmark year-long fundraising effort brings together an incredible line-up of partners including the North East Housing Partnership, Foundation of Light, Newcastle United Foundation, Durham Cricket Foundation, Eagles Community Foundation, Newcastle Rugby Foundation and the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness to make sure every child, no matter their background, can experience the life-changing benefits that sport brings. 

 Right now in the North East: 

• 1 in 3 children are growing up in poverty. 

• 1 in 4 kids miss out on sport simply because their families can’t afford it. 

• Only half of young people get the daily activity they need for good health. 

• 1 in 4 children leave primary school with poor health. 

• 1 in 3 families struggle to afford healthy meals. 
   

These stats paint a tough picture, but they also show exactly why this campaign matters. 

Foundation of Light Chief Executive Lesley Spuhler explained: “Children everywhere deserve the chance to feel what sport can truly offer - confidence, belonging, and the kind of opportunities that can transform their lives..” 
 
Newcastle United Foundation Chief Executive, Steve Beharall said: “We see every day the positive impact sport creates for young people – from the benefits of physical activity, to improving confidence and social skills to raising aspirations for a brighter future here in the North East. 

“No child should miss out on the joy of sport and with support from our communities through this campaign, we can provide more young people with opportunities to play, learn and grow together.” 

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The Wear-Tyne clash is a huge day for our region but it’s also a brilliant opportunity to bring together the fans and clubs to support local kids. Through our Region of Sport, we want every child to have access to sport and the opportunities it brings.  

“While the country is watching, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference to children growing up in this region. Our sports foundations are uniting with us, and showing what shared passion in the North East can really achieve.” 
 
Louise Bassett, a member of North East Housing Partnership (NEHP) and Chief Executive at Gentoo, commented; “Within the NEHP, we want to invest in our communities in ways that go far beyond bricks and mortar. This is such a unique partnership and a campaign that will make a real difference to children in the region.  No child should be left on the sidelines and by working together we can give more children the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sport.” 

Find out more on the Together Through Sport initiative

How fans can support 
Want to make a difference? It’s easy: Text TOGETHERFIVE to 70085 to donate £5, or visit justgiving.com/campaign/sport to give online. 
 
Whether you’re roaring from the Stadium of Light, watching from home, or following every kick online, you can play your part. 

Together, we can make sure no child is left on the sidelines.