Foundation hoping to make a difference with dedicated matchday

Sunderland AFC will dedicate its upcoming game against Hull City at the Stadium of Light to their official charity, Foundation of Light.  

The Good Friday clash will support the Small Change Big Difference campaign and showcase the work of the charity as they’re aiming to raise vital funds to support families, who are increasingly feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs. 

Recent studies have shown that the North East has the highest rate of child poverty anywhere in the UK.  

In Sunderland in particular, nearly 40% of the city’s population live in relative poverty – one of the highest rates in Europe 
 
Coupled with increasing food costs, further strain is put on families and the Foundation want to continue to help tackle those statistics. 
 
Supporters can help by donating a small amount – if you can - to make a big difference to the lives of local people. 

• £2.50 a month enables us to provide a safe, warm space with a hot drink and something to eat for those struggling to heat their homes 
• £4 a month contributes to providing a food pack to teach a family how to cook a healthy meal on a budget 

• £5 a month supports an older adult to attend a full week of activities to keep them warm, socially and physically active 
• £10 a month provides a child in receipt of free school meals with food and activities during the school holidays 

 
During the Hull City game, players will replace their traditional black home shorts with red ones, to signify how a small change can make a big difference.  
 
Thanks to Eleven Sports Media, SAFC’s official back of shorts sponsor, the Foundation’s logo will be displayed on the shorts for this game.  

The one-off shorts will be signed by players after the game and be put up for auction, with all proceeds supporting the Small Change Big Difference campaign.  

The club will also donate £1 for every match ticket sold to support the cause.  

Foundation of Light CEO Lesley Spuhler explained: “Small Change, Big Difference has a simple message; by donating a small amount, or whatever you can, each month, you can make a real and life-changing difference to children, older people and families across the region.” 

How supporters can get involved:  

Your chance to Foundation Matchday Mascot – enter our prize draw to run out with the players at the Stadium of Light. Enter here >

#FoLCremeEggChallenge – a bit of Easter fun! How many keepy-ups can you do with a Crème Egg? Video your efforts and share them on social media to see how you compare to others. See how it's done >

Wear Red and White Day – we’re encouraging everyone to celebrate the work of the Foundation by flying the red and white flag at their workplace, school or wherever they are and making a donation to the Foundation via www.justgiving.com/safc  

Text FOLFIVE to 70085 to make a £5 donation or text FOLTEN to donate £10 

Become a Friend of the Foundation and join our membership scheme with exclusive benefits. Sign up >

Own a specially commissioned model of the Stadium of Light by entering our prize draw. Take a look >