Campaign kicks off for fans to show love for SAFC

Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC, are kicking off a campaign that will help Black Cats fans celebrate their love of the club.

The walls of the Beacon of Light – where many of the Foundation of Light’s activities take place - are set to be adorned with boot-shaped, personalised tiles, as the city builds up to the League One Play-Off final.

Members of the public and businesses can add their name to a football boot tile and become part of the 'Friends of the Foundation Boot Wall' for just £300, with the personalised plaque displayed around the Beacon of Light - a multi-use facility that stages many of the Foundation of Light’s activities.

The boots – which can also be paid for in instalments - are a lasting mark of support for both the club and for the Beacon, where so much of the Foundation’s life-changing activity is delivered from.

Jamie Wright, managing director of the Beacon of Light, said: “The passion of Sunderland AFC fans has been incredible this season, not least since the club made it into the Playoff Final.

“To be able to add their name to a lasting memento, that celebrates the deep love Sunderland people have for their club and community, is something we know many supporters want to do, and of course they will be backing an amazing venue in the Beacon of Light, that really is the cornerstone of the amazing work the Foundation delivers for people in and around the city.”

Boot tiles are placed around the internal walls of the Beacon, meaning the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the facility each year see the names of the companies and individuals who have purchased a tile.

Legal firm Sweeney Miller, which has an office on the edge of Sunderland city centre, is one of the businesses that has bought a boot tile to celebrate the firm’s affinity with Sunderland and to support the great work done at the Beacon.

Rebecca Cresswell from Sweeney Miller, said: “There is so much footfall through the Beacon of Light, so it's a great opportunity for firms to be involved.

"The boot tile is a good opportunity for the firm to have the brand out there in the community, and to give something back in the process by supporting the home of the Foundation of Light. A lot of other companies have done the same and I would urge other companies from the city – and people too – to get involved and add their name to the Friends of the Foundation Boot Wall.”

Michael Hendy, a director at Certax Accounting in Sunderland has also purchased a tile on behalf of his company. He said: “I’ve been a supporter of Sunderland since the age of six, when I went to my first match back in 1973, so it's nice to be able to see the work the foundation does and see how football can be a catalyst to do good things, as well as actually supporting the club itself.

“Having a boot tile provides a great opportunity to get your name out there while supporting a fabulous organisation that does so much good within the city and the wider region.”

To purchase your boot tile, visit https://foundationoflight.co.uk/our-partners/friends-of-foundation-boot-wall/