Foundation of Light Chief Executive, Lesley Spuhler, attended a special ceremony in York to pick up a Ministry of Defence award on behalf of the Foundation of Light.
Foundation of Light received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest badge of honour an employer can receive from the Ministry of Defence.
In doing so, the Foundation of Light alongside Sunderland AFC became the first football club and football foundation in the North East to receive the accolade.
The award recognises the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to the armed forces community, as an armed forces employer, and through its delivery of innovative programmes aimed at military veterans.
During Sunderland AFC’s ‘Heroes Week’ campaign leading up to Remembrance Sunday, Foundation of Light shared the story of some of our armed forces experience staff who are now committed to making a difference across Sunderland: Click Here for full story
“To receive the highest possible honour for an armed forces employer underlines the Foundation’s commitment to service men and women within our community," Lesley said on winning the award.
“We are incredibly proud to support the armed forces community through programmes aimed at keeping veterans active and engaged. It’s particularly pleasing that some of these programmes are delivered by veterans who now form a crucial part of the team at the Foundation of Light."
Foundation of Light is encouraging more girls across Sunderland and the North East to get involved in sport this June through a packed month of football, activity and participation opportunities as part of Together Through Sport.
Foundation of Light’s 2026 Harrison Challenge winners have been crowned following the final presentations at the Beacon of Light.
One lucky winner will be chosen randomly to earn a free opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their Black Cats heroes and play at the Stadium of Light.