Luke O’Nien lands 2025 Community Champion award

Foundation of Light are delighted to present Sunderland AFC defender Luke O’Nien with the PFA Community Champion Award for the 2024-25 season.

The PFA Community Champions Award aims to raise awareness of the great support that players provide to their club's community activities during the campaign.

O’Nien hit the 300-appearance milestone for the Black Cats during this campaign, his seventh with the club, with his work ethic and versatility seeing him play all over the park in central midfield, as a full-back, and in the centre of defence.

This same attitude has consistently shone through off the pitch with the 30-year-old regularly attending Foundation of Light events throughout his time at the club.

This season, O’Nien has publicly backed the Foundation of Light’s Wear One campaign on several occasions, taking part in photo calls and video messages highlighting the initiative.

In recent years, the SAFC star has presented awards to outstanding participants at Foundation Gala Awards Dinners, opened the new pitch on the Beacon of Light’s rooftop, and attended Community Fun Days at the Beacon.

O’Nien actively engages whenever he visits Foundation of Light programmes, getting stuck into activities and dedicating his time to the attendees of the sessions.

On being named Community Champion, O’Nien said: "It's not just me, it's the team and everyone at the Foundation of Light, there's so many people that give to our community connected to the football club, so even though I'm holding this trophy, there's so many people that could win this award.

"To everyone that's out doing things in the community, I Just really appreciate them and everything they do and delighted to be holding the trophy for them.

"I've spoken to people and they tell me about the impact of the work you [Foundation of Light] do and it's great to see, I come down and my kids who've had classes here and what they do in the community for young kids older people is phenomenal.

"I'm holding this trophy but there's so many people who do work everyday, this is a trophy for everyone."

Foundation of Light Managing Director Jamie Wright added: “Luke is a hugely deserving recipient of this award, not just for his work this season, but his long-term ambassadorship for Foundation of Light.

“He’s been with the club since 2018, and you sense that he has really adopted Sunderland as his home, his genuine care for the city and its people always shines through.

“It makes a real difference when players are so engaged and Luke is one of those who always comes along with a smile on his face and interacts with genuine enthusiasm, which makes a real difference to those who meet him.”