Inspiring stories and spine-tingling performances: your reactions to 2025's Gala Awards Dinner

The dust has started to settle on Foundation of Light's 2025 Gala Awards Dinner, a night where life-changing achievements were celebrated and the power of football was showcased.

Here's how Foundation of Light partners, supporters, and the public have responded to the evening of inspiration.

Young cello player William Coles wows audience

Ahead of the awards ceremony, cellist William Coles, who garnered attention ahead of Sunderland's Wembley triumph in May, opened the show with his rendition of Wise Men Say.

Watch:

The stirring performance was the perfect opener for the night, with William's talent earning a lot of praise.

Award sponsors congratulate winners

The night would not be possible without the backing of sponsors, whose generosity goes a long way towards helping the Foundation of Light change lives through the power of football.

The evening allows sponsors to see that work in action through the powerful stories of the winners, and many were quick to share their pride, including headline sponsor - the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility.

Sweeney Miller Law, who sponsored the night's final winner Carol Rogers, also jumped to social media to share their praise for 'the best Gala Awards ceremony so far'. 

Tutors share their pride

The Gala Awards Dinner is not only a special night for the winners, but also Foundation of Light staff who have seen the transformation in those that they have worked with.

SAFC heroes return to celebrate

A full starting eleven of former Black Cats turned out to help present the awards. Speaking on returning to Sunderland for the Gala Awards Dinner, former Sunderland AFC captain Lee Cattermole said: "It was always the one as a player that you would want to support because of the people you could affect and help."

Hear more from Lee Cattermole and Lynden Gooch (Click Below):

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Talk of the town

The Beacon of Light welcomed the BBC Look North cameras as they went live from the Gala Awards Dinner, talking to Foundation of Light Chief Operating Officer Jamie Wright and former Sunderland AFC midfielder Andy Reid.

Sunderland Echo and Northern Echo have both shared write ups from the evening, highlighting the Foundation's impact across the region.