The Beacon of Light will host a dedicated Remembrance Day Fan Zone ahead of Sunderland AFC’s match against Coventry City.
Sunderland AFC have designated this matchweek as Heroes’ Week, paying homage to the armed forces while raising money for the Royal British Legion, and the Foundation of Light has collaborated with the club to honour the military and veterans.
Several organisations will hold stalls in the Beacon’s matchday Fan Zone, engaging Black Cats supporters and spreading the word of their work.
The Foundation’s mental health programmes – Game of II Halves and Believe – will also be in attendance, showcasing another support system armed forces personnel and veterans can utilise.
Some of the organisations joining us are as follows:
Not a Statistic North East
'Not A Statistic Northeast CIC' was created to help individuals find a safe space to access peer to peer support with a free tea or coffee, biscuits and some laughs along the way.
MPCT Sunderland
The Military Academy is a unique training college that helps 16+ year olds develop their fitness, vocational qualifications, and employability skills to help prepare for employment, including rewarding careers in the British Armed Forces.
Sunderland AFC Armed Forces & Veterans Association
The official Armed Forces and Veterans Supporters Branch, looking to continue to build on the community that SAFC are building with their recruitment opportunities and the first official Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club to be held at a football stadium.
East Durham Veterans Trust
East Durham Veterans Trust is a charity supporting veterans and their families from across the North East, through case managing issues, offering practical support, social inclusion, and with mental health coaching and wellbeing.
8 Rifles
8 Rifles is a Reserve Infantry Battalion based across the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East.
Veterans at Ease
Veterans at Ease is a leading Military Mental Health Charity, committed to helping all members of HM Armed Forces Community, be it Veterans, Reservists, Serving Military Personnel or their families, so they can deal with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks or thoughts of suicide, as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other combat stress-related issues.
Space North East
SPACE North East are providing support to men in the North East of England who are suffering with depression, loneliness, and anxiety.
Baroness Estelle Morris of Yardley, a trustee of Sunderland AFC’s official charity, took part in the conference and called the Beacon ‘a fantastic building’ adding that ‘what happens here is absolutely key.’
Beacon of Light will host a dedicated Mental Health Awareness Fan Zone, with stalls promoting initiatives including Ripple Suicide Prevention, Impact North East, Game of II Halves, and SPACE North East.
As part of the World Mental Health Day and International Day of Older Persons Matchday, the Beacon of Light will host a dedicated Fan Zone highlighting key local causes.