Sir Bob Murray has issued a Christmas appeal to Sunderland fans after he confirmed his autobiography has already raised £75,000 in less than two months for the Foundation of Light since it was published in October.
Typically, Sir Bob has a much more ambitious goal in mind that he wants to achieve to support the Foundation, and has appealed to fans to help him reach £100,000 for the charity that helps local people across our region.
He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of Sunderland supporters since the book was published. People had joked for years I should write a book but it was only when the Foundation asked me to do it to help raise funds that I agreed.
“There are no supporters in the land like Sunderland fans, and their big-hearted response in buying the book is just typical of their unrivalled support and generosity. As most fans know I like to think big and with their help I think together we can top £100K for the Foundation, which would change so many more local lives in 2024.”
As part of his drive to raise much needed funds for the Foundation he will host a book signing in The Bridges Shopping Centre next week, which will be the final opportunity for supporters to get a signed copy of the book before Christmas.
Supporters are invited to meet the former Sunderland AFC chairman in Sunderland city centre from 3.30 - 4.30pm on Tuesday 12 December (near the Primark entrance) before Sunderland take on Leeds United that evening.
Sir Bob will be there to meet supporters, have photographs taken and sign copies of I’d Do It All Again, the perfect Christmas gift for any Black Cats fan.
Copies of Sir Bob’s autobiography will be available to buy on the day with 100% of the book sales going to Sunderland AFC’s official charity, the Foundation of Light.
I’d Do It All Again tells Sir Bob Murray’s story from the dust-choked Consett streets of the 1950s where he left school with just one 'o' level, to the building of the Stadium of Light, Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park.
He recounts interactions with a wide cast of characters ranging from Len Shackleton, Brian Clough, Lawrie McMenemy, Peter Reid, Niall Quinn and even a former Prime Minister for whom he had to act a human shield!
The visionary behind the Stadium, Academy, and Beacon of Light - who established the Foundation of Light during his 20-year tenure as SAFC Chairman – only agreed to tell his story to support the charity.
The Foundation of Light works with up to 20,000 young people and their families from across the region every year. It uses the power of football to create better opportunities and enhance the lives of local people using a range of initiatives to improve education and skills, health and wellbeing and by encouraging more sport and play for all generations.
I’d Do It All Again, is also available to buy online at www.sirbobmurraybook.com or in-person at the Beacon of Light and SAFC Club Store. 100% of proceeds from sales of the autobiography will go to the Foundation of Light.
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.