Stars come together to net £80,000 for Foundation

A charity gala night featuring past and present Sunderland AFC heroes has raised more than £80,000 for the club’s charity.

The Foundation of Light hosted its annual gala awards dinner this week to celebrate the inspiring achievements of people it supports, at the Beacon of Light, adjacent to the Stadium of Light.

And among those on hand to meet and greet the many winners and present awards was club legend and former captain Kevin Ball, as well as Romaine Mundle and Niall Huggins, Natasha Fenton, Brianna Westrup, Louise Griffiths and Megan Borthwick from the current men’s and women’s first teams.

The event, which was hosted by Sky Sports presenter David Jones and SAFC Live commentator Frankie Francis, honours the Foundation’s life-changing work through Wearside and County Durham, and beyond, and the awards were themed around the organisation’s Wear One campaign, which is encouraging the Sunderland community to come together to support the region’s most vulnerable.

The charity’s chairman - and former Sunderland chairman Sir Bob Murray, said the Foundation of Light has used the power of football to tackle some of the North East’s biggest challenges including social isolation, unemployment, food poverty and poor physical and mental health.

Sir Bob said: “It’s always such a special night when we come together to celebrate the amazing achievements of the Foundation and the incredible people we’ve had the privilege to support.

“Times are tough for so many, and the cost-of-living crisis has meant our work has been more important than ever. This year, we’ve worked hard to reach those who need us most, with new programmes and initiatives making a real difference in people’s lives.

“Our gala dinner is a chance to not only share these inspiring stories but to keep the momentum going by raising the funds we need to carry on this important work.

“Hearing about the journeys of the children, families, and adults we’ve supported is always humbling. Their determination and strength deserve to be celebrated, and it’s an honour to shine a spotlight on their successes.”

Winners included Jacob Northover, a young footballer who has worked with the Foundation of Light to adapt his game since losing his eyesight, and is now on England Blind Football’s development pathway.

Emily Cassap was also recognised after progressing to the Sunderland women’s first-team and appearing for England Under-17s at the World Cup having progressed through the Foundation’s female player pathway.

Another winner was Azeem Iftikah, who made a new life in the North East thanks to the charity’s over-55s Wear Together groups after fleeing from Pakistan as a refugee.

Earlier this week the Foundation of Light, announced its latest initiative in partnership with Pennies, the UK’s leading micro-donations charity, which provides Sunderland fans with the chance to donate to the club’s official charity when buying club merchandise.

Sunderland supporters can now make a small digital donation to Foundation when completing any card purchase in the official club store in Black Cat House at the Stadium of Light complex, as well as online, making it easier for fans and supporters to give back to their community with donations.

One in three children in Sunderland are living in poverty and through the collaboration, the Foundation aims to provide a much-needed hand up to those striving to improve their lives and gain employment and live better lives.  

Lesley Spuhler, Foundation of Light chief executive, added: “Partnering with Pennies offers supporters a simple and powerful way to be a part of what we do every day. 

“Small donations really add up, and this partnership will allow us to expand our reach, bringing more support to those who need it most in our community.” 

THE FULL LIST OF WEAR WINNERS FROM THE GALA DINNER:

Hetton Academy Pupils – Wear Passionate Award sponsored by The Murray Family

Nushrath Begum – Wear Innovative Award sponsored by the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility

Cole Griffiths – Wear Excellent Award sponsored by Aspire Technology Solutions

Julie – Wear Ground-Breaking Award sponsored by Stagecoach

Michael Keogh – Wear Inspired Award sponsored by The Banks Group

Regan Carter – Wear Courageous Award sponsored by Sweeney Miller Law

Lynda Brown – Special Recognition Award

Emily Cassap – Wear High-Performing Award sponsored by Sunderland AFC

David Morris – Wear Dedicated Award sponsored by Sunderland Council

Beth Rae – Wear Giving Back Award sponsored by Helen McArdle

Jack Smithson – Wear Making a Difference Award sponsored by Karbon Homes

Youth Voice – Wear Collaborative Award sponsored by the Premier League

Azeem Iftikah – Wear Together Award sponsored by John Wood

Jacob Northover – Wear Resilient Award sponsored by Hummel

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