Sunderland AFC’s official charity Foundation of Light helps around 20,000 young people and their families to live happier, healthier lives each year.

Recent studies have shown that health inequalities in the UK are getting worse, with the gap between the North East and the South of England worsening.

People in communities across our region are living shorter lives; spending most of them in poor health.

Foundation of Light aims to tackle these issues, encouraging parents and grandparents to stay both physically and mentally active to inspire the next generation to do the same.

Through various initiatives and programmes and links with Sunderland AFC, the Foundation gives families the opportunity to access sports and fitness sessions, mental health resources and experience the facilities at the Beacon of Light community hub.

How your money can help:

£5 would pay for a young person with a disability access to a sports session

£8 pays for an older person to attend activities to stay socially active and improve physical and mental wellbeing

£40 will pay for a young person to have access to sessions supporting their physical, mental, and emotional health

£100 allows us to develop mental health resources to support up to five people