SAFC PLAYERS SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP SERVICE

Sunderland AFC players Duncan Watmore and Lee Burge are supporting the club’s official charity, Foundation of Light, in partnership with EFL Trust in their call for 16 and 17 year olds to get involved in a youth programme like no other this summer. Over 600,000 young people across the country have taken part in the National Citizen Service (NCS), which aims to help teenagers with their personal and social development through residential camps, volunteering opportunities and social change projects. Sunderland AFC forward, Duncan Watmore said “I have heard great things about the NCS programme. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved and try something which they thought they may never do. A chance to enjoy new experiences, make new friends and make lasting memories.” Places on the programme cost a maximum of £50, which includes all food, accommodation and activities during the residential elements of the course and the Foundation is working with a range of partners to deliver exciting and once-in-a-lifetime activities including Northumbria Police, the Ministry of Defence and Sunderland AFC. Foundation of Light’s NCS Manager, Craig Martin, explains why the programme is so important “This year we have supported nearly 200 young people and we are looking forward to welcoming more over the summer.

NCS is designed to encourage young people to challenge themselves. We want them to use their NCS experience as a steppingstone to enhance future learning and career opportunities and to be the best they can be

Sunderland AFC's fixture against Bristol Rovers (Saturday 22nd February) is dedicated to NCS, which will see players wearing t-shirts during warm up, supporting the initiative.