Ex-Sunderland AFC chairman Sir Bob Murray praises charity grant for Foundation of Light

He says the £240,000 grant from Sunderland City Council will ensure the Foundation of Light continues to help thousands of people as the city emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

The foundation was set up by Sir Bob in 2001, building its Beacon of Light facility next door to the club’s Stadium of Light ground.

Sir Bob said the council’s money will go towards “a number of vital programmes” and added: “We are incredibly grateful to those who have supported us, not least the council who have backed us since day one.

“The foundation does amazing work across Sunderland and this support will ensure the people we help can look forward to that, despite the challenges that the pandemic has presented to charities of all kinds.

“With so many people in region facing unemployment, mental health challenges or being cut off from their communities, charities matter now more than ever before but funding streams are uncertain.

"Our programmes are designed to support and complement a range of frontline public services, helping to tackle some of our communities’ biggest challenges.”

The foundation has supported hundreds of thousands of people tackle issues such as obesity, unemployment, poor mental health, social isolation and anti-social behaviour.

Its work includes services both at the £20m Beacon, which opened in 2018, as well as sports and education programmes in the community.

A match-funding scheme has also raised £500,000 from private individuals.

Councillor Graeme Miller, the council’s leader, said the foundation “is an absolute asset to Sunderland” and added: “The one-off injection of cash will ensure that the charity can emerge from a period of national on the best footing possible, able to deliver services and support that has helped so many people in the city and that it will continue to deliver its incredible work for future generations.

"We cannot afford, particularly as we come through such a devastating period, to leave such an important charity to wither.”

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