Foundation of Light named Charity Club of the Year

Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light has been named Charity Club of the Year at a major national awards ceremony.

The club’s official charity took home the award at the Club Mirror magazine’s Club Awards in Leicester earlier this week, as well as a string of individual prizes for four people working with the foundation, based at the Beacon of Light, adjacent to the football club.

Foundation of Light took home the Charity Club of the Year award for their wide-ranging work across the North East region, which offers inclusive sport and play for all, raising educational attainment through various study and employability programmes, to tackling poor physical and mental health in the North East.

The Club Awards have been presented since 1992 and celebrate the incredible work of clubs across the country, and this year’s awards night at Leicester’s Athena Venue also recognised the hard work of staff at the Foundation of Light.

Ken Riley, who is a well-known legendary member of staff at the Foundation, won a Long Service Recognition award after celebrating 30 years as a coach for the charity earlier this year.

Ken Riley with his Long Service Recognition award

Andy Williams was given a Volunteer Recognition award for his commitment to the Foundation Community Club and his personal coaching development, which has enabled him to look for opportunities to learn and improve the experience for young players.

Andy Williams with his Volunteer Recognition award

Premier League Kicks participant Laila Johnson was awarded the Young Ambassador award after completing more than 1000 hours of sessions, and becoming a volunteer with the Foundation, which helped her earn a place at university.

And James Stanness won the Community Hero award for his work promoting the Game of II Halves campaign after initially joining the Foundation through Wear Together sessions and Befriending Phone Calls following several personal heartbreaking bereavements.

Foundation of Light managing director, Jamie Wright said: “We are immensely proud to have been named Charity Club of the Year which highlights the incredible work we do with over 20,000 people each year, from all walks of life.

"It’s particularly rewarding to see some of our staff, volunteers, and participants also recognised—it demonstrates the amazing people we have at the Foundation of Light."

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