Foundation thanks Gala partners ahead of 25th anniversary celebration

The countdown is on, with just one week to go until Foundation of Light welcomes guests to its Gala Awards Dinner, one of the biggest nights in the charity’s calendar.

Taking place at the Beacon of Light on Friday 2 October, this year’s event will be particularly special as the Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary and a quarter of a century of changing lives across the North East.

The Foundation is proud to once again welcome Harrison Centre for Social Mobility as Main Event Sponsor, alongside atom. and the University of Sunderland as Co-Event Sponsors.

Their backing brings together organisations with strong connections to the North East and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for people and communities.

The Harrison Centre for Social Mobility has a particularly close relationship with the Foundation, with its Sunderland centre based at the Beacon of Light since opening in partnership with the charity in 2018. Together, the organisations help people develop skills, confidence and pathways towards education and employment.

North East technology business atom. joins the event as a Co-Event Sponsor, continuing its support for organisations across the region.

Fellow Co-Event Sponsor, the University of Sunderland, has a longstanding relationship with the Foundation and shares its commitment to helping people across Sunderland and the wider region fulfil their potential.

Now in its sixth edition, the Gala Awards Dinner will once again bring together supporters, partners, guests and friends of the Foundation at the Beacon of Light to celebrate the people at the heart of its work.

Throughout the evening, guests will hear inspiring stories from participants whose lives have been positively impacted by the Foundation, recognising achievements across education and employability, sport and physical activity, and health and wellbeing.

This year’s event takes on added significance as Foundation of Light marks 25 years since its formation in 2001.

Over the past quarter of a century, Sunderland AFC’s official charity has grown to support thousands of people every year, using the power of football and the Sunderland badge to create opportunities and help people and communities across the region build a brighter tomorrow.

Clare Wilson, Chief Commercial and Fundraising Officer at Foundation of Light, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Harrison Centre for Social Mobility, atom. and the University of Sunderland, as well as all of the organisations supporting this year’s Gala Dinner.

“Their backing helps make one of the biggest nights in our calendar possible, but it also means so much more in our 25th anniversary year. It’s a real show of support for the work of the Foundation, the people we support and the communities we’ve been proud to serve for the past 25 years.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Beacon of Light and celebrating what promises to be a very special night.”