Super Seven: Highlights from Beacon of Light's Summer 2024

The Beacon of Light has been a hive of activity this summer, from hosting Foundation of Light holiday courses to welcoming an Olympic champion, here are some of our highlights:

A visit from a queen

Former Lionesses star, European Champion, and ITV’s Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott, made a special visit to Foundation of Light’s Football Camp and Holiday Club summer courses.

Now a Foundation of Light trustee, Scott took her time to talk with some of SAFC’s official charity’s participants, joined in with sessions, and posed for selfies.

Beacon hosts competitive grappling

Over 450 athletes took to the squared circle for Empire Grappling’s Tyne and Wear Open, with more than 300 people came along to watch the first-ever grappling event at the Beacon.

Family Bake Off

Foundation of Light summer courses don’t just take place on our football pitches. Scores of children and their parents took part in Family Bake Off sessions in the Beacon of Light’s Ministry of Food Kitchen, putting their culinary skills to the test.

A Champion’s welcome

Three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty hosted one of his AP Race Clinic events at the Beacon, just weeks after achieving a silver medal in Paris.

SAFC Stars meet young supporters

Sunderland AFC’s Dan Ballard and Dan Neil made a stop at the Kellogg’s Football Camp to join budding young players for a kickabout ahead of the opening game of the season.

Following the activities, the Sunderland AFC stars took part in a question and answer session with young supporters before signing autographs and posing for numerous photographs.

Youngsters enjoy animal encounter

During the first week of Foundation of Light summer courses, Holiday Club participants at the Beacon of Light enjoyed a special treat—a visit from Animals About Town, a mobile farm based in County Durham.

Foundation Fun Day raises over £5,000

More than 1,000 people were welcomed to the Beacon of Light for our summer Family Fun Day.

The day offered inclusive sports and play for families in return for just a £2 donation to the Foundation of Light, with activities including basketball, golf, a range of football challenges, arts, crafts, and our UV dance room.

In total, between all fundraising activities on the day, more than £5,000 was raised to help the Foundation of Light deliver life-changing programmes across Sunderland, South Tyneside, and County Durham.