Looking back on an amazing 2023 at the Beacon

As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on the last 12 months… and what a year it’s been!

In January, kicking off the year, Sunderland players Bailey Wright and Aji Alese and legends Gary Bennett and Kevin Ball surprised school children as Show Racism the Red Card hosted their annual educational event at the Beacon. Later in the month, former Sunderland star Julio Arca led a life-changing Salvation Army programme that aims to change lives for individuals living locally who are in need of support and guidance through the power of football.

February saw over 300 people attend our holiday courses, including SAFC winger Jewison Bennette, who surprised participants and joined in with a FIFA tournament on the Xboxes . We added pickleball to our growing list of sports – a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis!

The Beacon joined forces with SportsKey in March, to offer customers a much-improved online experience when making bookings. The Beacon played host to the Red Sky Ball, which raised over £100,000 for the heart charity. SAFC favourite Lynden Gooch also attended the Foundation of Light’s schools networking breakfast this month.

In April, we welcomed the FA National Futsal Series and BT Sport to the Beacon. SAFC Women stars Grace McCatty and Brianna Westrup paid us a visit, showing their support to local school children who were playing in the Premier League Primary Stars Tournament.

In May, the same month that celebrated the 50-year anniversary of the 1973 FA Cup Final win, the Beacon also celebrated its 5^th birthday. Over 400 guests from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust enjoyed a night of celebration at their first-ever Staff Recognition Awards.

June saw over 200 people came to the Beacon for Foundation of Light’s Fixtures Breakfast as we looked forward to the season ahead. Over 1,000 staff from Karbon Homes came along for their annual Big Get Together. We also got into the spirit of pride month by hosting a Beacon Pride Day.

Summer at the Beacon began in July with SAFC stars Corry Evans, Mary McAteer and Liz Ejupi joining in with the activities. The Future Lionesses programme was a big hit as they watched the Women’s World Cup kick-off on our big screen. Elsewhere, Cycle Challenge cyclists covered 200 miles in three-days, starting and ending at the Beacon and raising vital funds for the Foundation of Light.

The season kicked off in August as the Beacon host the official Matchday Fan Zones. The Community Fun Day welcomed an astonishing 5,000 people including Bradley Dack and Nectar Triantis, who surprised guests. We roared on the Lionesses in the World Cup Final from our big screen as they lost out to Spain.

Summer at the Beacon concluded in September with an amazing 7,500 participants throughout the school holidays. We hosted a special Fan Zone before the England Lionesses faced Scotland at a sold-out Stadium of Light.

In a very busy October, Foundation of Light Chairman, Bob Murray’s book was released, Pierre Ekwah cooked up a storm in our Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food kitchen with pupils from St Mary’s Primary School. We hosted a special Wear Red Day in support of Show Racism The Red Card with guests Jay Matete, Jenson Seelt, Kevin Ball and Gary Bennett. We welcomed the Sunderland Big Bike Ride to the Beacon as the starting line for the bike ride.

In a busy November, SAFC players visited the Beacon of Light as part of EFL Week of Action as they took part in various activities. We also welcomed Jack Clarke to the Beacon after the SAFC winger chose Foundation of Light as his Community Organisation of the Month. We hosted Foundation of Light’s Gala Awards Dinner as we celebrated the inspirational stories and life-changing work of the foundation. We also launched all-new gaming parties in our Egaming room.

To round off the year, we hosted our first-ever Christmas Fayre. Josh Kelly’s huge homecoming fight against Placido Ramirez was another first for the Beacon. A new partnership was sealed with University of Sunderland further enhance their sports offer by giving all students access to the wide range of activities based at the Beacon.

All in all, it has been an amazing and very eventful year. Here’s to a bigger and better 2024.

Happy New Year from the Beacon of Light 🥂