Sunderland AFC will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Foundation of Light with a special Founders’ Week later this month.
Taking place from Monday 19 October to Sunday 25 October, Founders’ Week will celebrate the remarkable impact the Foundation has made across Sunderland and the wider region since its creation in 2001.
As the Club’s official charity partner, Foundation of Light has become a cornerstone of the local community, using the power of football to improve the lives of thousands of people through education, employability, health, inclusion and community programmes.
The week will bring together a series of activities and events, culminating in Sunderland AFC’s Premier League fixture against Leeds United on Sunday 25 October, which will be dedicated to celebrating the Foundation’s 25-year anniversary.
Watch party – Lech Poznan
Founders’ Week will also have a European focus, with Sunderland travelling to face Lech Poznan in the Europa League.
Fans will be able to watch the fixture together at Quinn’s Sports Bar, with the Foundation invited to showcase their work and the difference it continues to make in the community.
Tickets for the watch party are available now via safc.com/buytickets.
Exclusive retro range
To mark the week, Sunderland AFC will also launch a special retro capsule collection, drawing inspiration from the Club’s hummel archives.
Further details will be revealed across the Club’s official channels, with supporters encouraged to keep an eye out for the launch.
Wear Red and White Day
Friday 23 October will see the return of Wear Red and White Day, giving supporters, schools, businesses and organisations across the region the opportunity to show their support for the Foundation of Light.
Fans are encouraged to wear red and white and fly the colours wherever they are, while making a donation to help support the Foundation’s work.
Donate to the Foundation of Light here.
Sunderland AFC v Leeds United
Founders’ Week will culminate at Sunderland’s home fixture against Leeds United on Sunday 25 October, with a host of activity planned around the game.
Fundraising will be a major part of the occasion, with supporters invited to bring £1 to the Stadium of Light, where Foundation volunteers will be on hand to collect donations.
A special anniversary edition of the matchday programme will also be available, featuring a front cover designed by children taking part in the Foundation of Light’s in-school sessions.
The Foundation’s Fan Zone will be transformed for the occasion, with a range of activities for younger supporters and a celebration of the work taking place at the Beacon of Light.
The Club’s players will also play their part, wearing the special 25th anniversary Foundation of Light shirt during their pre-match warm-up. The numbered shirts worn by the players will subsequently be auctioned, with proceeds going towards the Foundation.
Celebrating 25 years
Throughout Founders’ Week, Sunderland AFC and the Foundation of Light will also share a series of exclusive content pieces celebrating the people, stories and moments that have shaped the Foundation over the past 25 years.
The content will showcase the impact of the Foundation’s work across the region, while featuring familiar faces from Sunderland AFC and the Foundation’s history.
More details will be revealed across the Club and Foundation’s official channels in the build-up to Founders’ Week.
Support the Foundation of Light’s 25th anniversary campaign by donating here.
Sunderland AFC will celebrate 25 years of its official charity, Foundation of Light, with a special week of activity culminating in the dedicated Foundation Matchday against Leeds United.
Foundation of Light is helping people build their digital skills and confidence this October with free workshops as part of Get Online Week 2026.
Foundation of Light celebrated 25 years of changing lives across the North East with a special Gala Awards Dinner bringing together supporters, partners and inspirational participants from across the region.