Historic Derby saw North East unite for purpose beyond football
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.
Foundation of Light and Sunderland AFC will be collaborating throughout the 2024-25 season as part of the Premier League Fans Fund - focused on promoting equal opportunity for everyone within our community.
Over the course of the season, the Club and Foundation will be celebrating the diversity in our community and bring people together to work collaboratively and create positive change.
The Premier League Fans Fund provides grants to support football clubs at all levels of the game in order to strengthen connections between them, their fans and local communities.
The fund supports a range of fan-focused and fan-led projects, helping to foster a sense of belonging through meaningful engagement.
This includes schemes for under-represented groups, to further develop an inclusive and welcoming matchday experience for everyone.
Through a series of dedicated matchdays, there will be special activities ahead of each home game in the Fan Zone at the Beacon of Light to engage with underrepresented supporters, who will get the opportunity to voice their needs and feel a sense of belonging within the football club.
Lesley Spuhler, Chief Executive of the Foundation of Light, said: “We are delighted to be part of this important initiative. Promoting inclusivity and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued is at the heart of what we do.
“This collaboration with Sunderland AFC and the Premier League Fans Fund will allow us to bring about real, positive change in our community.”
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.
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