Foundation of Light Matchday returns when Sunderland host Brighton
Foundation of Light Matchday returns for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion, a special occasion celebrating the life-changing work delivered across the North East.
Historic Derby saw North East unite for purpose beyond football
Sunderland AFC completed a special victory in a Derby Day which proved to be about much more than on-field rivalry.
While the Black Cats faced the Magpies for the first time in eight years in league competition, the official charities of the North East rivals united behind a greater cause.
The matchday was dedicated to the Together Through Sport campaign which saw the five main sporting foundations in the region come together to tackle child poverty, including Foundation of Light, Newcastle United Foundation, Durham Cricket Foundation, Eagles Community Foundation, and Newcastle Rugby Foundation.
This collaboration, alongside North East Sport and North East Housing partnership, is aiming to create free places on holiday programmes and free sports sessions in schools, ensuring no child is left on the sidelines.
Statistics show that right now in the North East, one in four children miss out on sport simply because their families can’t afford it, which highlights 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…”
On a Wear-Tyne Derby dedicated to tackling child poverty, the campaign was highlighted by:
Sonny’s Derby Day surprise
Nine-year-old Sunderland AFC supporter, Sonny Nunn, rarely gets the chance to attend the Stadium of Light despite his love for the club.
As his heroes lined up against their rivals, Sonny was given the chance to walk out with them as mascot. Sonny took to the pitch alongside captain Granit Xhaka, wearing a Together Through Sport warm-up shirt.
Matchday Moments
Together Through Sport was showcased throughout Derby Day on the warm-up shirts worn by Samson and Delilah and pitch-side ball assistants.
The campaign logo was also flown on the player entrance flags ahead of kick-off with text-to-donate messaging also included on the big screen and digital pitch-side boards.
The matchday programme shone the spotlight on the Together Through Sport initiative with a piece on the launch event at the Beacon of Light and an explainer on why we are part of this initiative.
Get Involved
We are tackling the stark statistics that show:
- 1 in 3 children in the North East are growing up in poverty.
- 1 in 4 kids miss out on sport because families can’t afford it.
- Only 1 in 2 kids get the activity they need each day.
- 1 in 4 children leave primary school with poor health.
- 1 in 3 families struggle to afford healthy meals.
Your donations will help provide:
- Free Places on holiday courses
- Free sports sessions in schools
Supporters can help make a difference by texting TOGETHERFIVE to 70085 to donate £5 or online via JustGiving: Click Here
National Apprenticeship Week: Foundation of Light apprentices past and present share their success
As part of National Apprenticeship week, Sunderland AFC’s official charity is catching up with some of our apprentices, past and present, who have started their careers by combining learning and work experience.
Thorney Close represent Sunderland AFC in Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament as Carlisle come out on top
Sunderland AFC were represented by Thorney Close Primary School at the Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament - Regional Qualifiers which were hosted at the Beacon of Light.