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Foundation of Light
The charity of Sunderland FC
Founded: 2001
Charity Details
Full Name: Foundation of Light
Field: Community
Founded: 2001
Headquarters: Sunderland, SR5 1SU
Charity No.: 1009333
History and Activities
The Foundation of Light was established in 2001 by Sir Bob Murray, with the aim of ‘inspiring people to change their lives for the better through the power of education and sport’. Sir Bob still actively supports the charity and chairs the board of trustees. Although the football club has been relegated to the third tier of English Football, the Foundation of Light has contrastingly gone from strength to strength in recent years.
In 2017 the foundation delivered over 300,000 contact hours to 24,000-course registrants to address the challenges faced by local communities in Sunderland. The foundation has a bold vision to be the ‘instigators of change in the North East’ through inspiring lifelong learning, increasing employment opportunities, supporting community development and providing leadership to other organisations. Success has been reflected in the numerous awards the foundation’s received as arguably one of the most pioneering sports charities in the world. In recognition of the growth and success of the Foundation, its CEO Lesley Spuhler, was awarded an OBE in the 2015 New Year’s honours.
The Foundation of Light has recently embarked on an ambitious programme of growth. After years of planning the foundation opened the ‘Beacon of Light’ sports and education facility in June 2018 near the Stadium of Light. The Beacon is intended to be a catalyst for wider regeneration in the area and was an enormous project for the foundation. Although the full extent of the project costs is yet to be disclosed, it is estimated that construction alone was approximately £20 million from a range of public and private sources. The project was personally led by Sir Bob who also took part in its official opening over the summer.
The construction of the Beacon has meant a great deal to the people on Wearside For Sir Bob, the project was a personal mission. Speaking to The Chronicle in May he spoke of taking the opportunities available to him after leaving school at 15 with only one qualification, facing unemployment and turning his life around through night classes. The Beacon will act as a hub for activities tackling education and social issues. Inspiring local people, providing opportunities and changing both Sunderland and the wider region for the better.
Vital Statistics (year to 31/12/2017)
| Total Income (TI):
| £3,853,431
|
| Philanthropic Income (PI):
| £1,947,966
|
| PI as % of TI:
| 51%
|
| Employees:
| 100
|
| Volunteers:
| 42
|
| Charitable Spending:
| £3,638,365
|
| Investments at Year End:
| £2*
|
*(The foundation owns Beacon of Light Limited, established in 2014 to construct and run the Beacon of Light and Altruism Limited, which is currently dormant)
Website
https://www.foundationoflight.co.uk
References
Charity Commission. (2018). Group Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017, Available here (Accessed 19/10/2018).
Hunter, James (2018) ‘Sir Bob Murray on how his struggles with education and unemployment inspired the Beacon of Light’ in The Chronicle. Available here (Accessed: 17/10/2018)
Sir Bob Murray. (2014). Countess of Wessex supports Beacon of Light, Available here (Accessed: 19/09/2018).
The Foundation of Light. (2018). Available here (Accessed: 18/09/2018)
Wheeler, K. & Prince, D. (2015). SAFC women Lesley Spuhler and Steph Houghton honoured in New Year list, Available here (Accessed: 19/09/2018).
Wheeler, K. (2018). Opening date announced for Beacon of Light pitches, The Chronicle, Available here (Accessed: 18/09/2018).