As we enter the new year, Foundation of Light looks back on our final month of 2023.
During December we run our ‘Design a Ball’ campaign in partnership with Alive and Kicking, the world’s only not for profit football manufacturer.
The winning design will be produced and used during the half-time pitch activities during the Foundation’s dedicated matchday and will be available to buy from the Beacon of Light shop.
The finalists were selected after the deadline on 22nd December, and the online vote has now finished with the winner announced as Adrian Britton with his design incorporating our Heart on your Sleeve logo and a cats’ eyes illustration.
As part of the ‘Design a Ball’ campaign, Sunderland AFC players Jewison Bennette and Mason Burstow visited the Beacon of Light to take part.
The SAFC pair joined students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, with Burstow commenting: “I always enjoy coming down to the Beacon and seeing the kids having a good time.
"Today has been good, getting to do something different in the classroom, and I can't wait to see what the final designs look like."
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Foundation of Light announced a unique collaboration with the University of Sunderland, as the Beacon of Light will become a sports hub for all students.
This will ensure the University’s student community has easy access to high quality sports provision wherever in Sunderland they live, play or study.
The initial phases of the partnership have seen the university’s Futsal, American Football, Netball, and Basketball clubs utilising the Beacon’s facilities, with plans to expand the offering to students in the coming months.
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On Friday, December 8 we attended the open day event for the reopening of Boldon Village Hall.
Special guests included Friend of the Foundation, Jill Scott, and South Tyneside Mayor, John McCabe.
The venue will be used by the Foundation of Light as part of our expanding outreach programmes.
We hosted Holiday Clubs at the Beacon of Light during the festive school holidays, putting on a range of activities including football, ats and crafts, and eSports.
Sunderland AFC Academy Manager Robin Nicholls was the guest on December’s episode of the Coaches’ Coffee Club podcast.
He sat down with Jack Gray and Jamie Wright to discuss how the academy works and serves the SAFC first-team, progressing players such as Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson to senior football, and achieving Category One status.
Watch the full episode: Click Here
As sales of Sir Bob Murray’s autobiography approached £100,000, the former Sunderland AFC Chairman held a book signing at the Bridges Shopping Centre on Tuesday, December 12 ahead of SAFC’s home match against Leeds United.
In December, we shared the inspiring story of one of our Gala Awards Dinner winners, Jessica Hunter, who has been a shining light within the Foundation’s Family Learning courses in the face of serious illness.
Read her story: Click Here
Throughout December, Foundation of Light brought SAFC fans the chance to win some unique prizes, while raising funds for the Foundation, with our festive prize draws.
Prizes included signed memorabilia including A4 prints of SAFC players, a match-worn Northern Ireland international shirt, and Anthony Patterson goalkeeper gloves, as well as experiences such as the chance for a child to walk out at the Stadium of Light as a mascot.
A group of students from the Foundation of Light’s scholarship and study programmes were given a unique opportunity to visit Japan thanks to funding from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Foundation of Light PFA Player Ambassador, Aji Alese, and teammate Jenson Seelt marked EFL Week of Action with a visit to the Beacon of Light.
Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, is thrilled to announce defender Aji Alese as official PFA Player Ambassador.