2001
- Birth of the Foundation: Founded by Sir Bob Murray CBE out of SAFC Community programme.
- SAFC Foundation gains charitable status.
2003
- Launched: Family Learning Through Football to bring parents and children together through education.
- Into the community: Kickstart buses launched, heralding beginning of work with teenagers taking the Foundation into the community.
2004
- HRH Countess of Wessex GCVO opens the Centre of Light at the Stadium of Light.
2006
- Former Sunderland AFC player and Chairman Niall Quinn MBE becomes Foundation Trustee.
- 100th school attends Learning Through Football education programme.
- Launched: Pitstop education programme, working with at risk youngsters.
2007
- Sport & Play: Football coaching courses delivered in Washington.
2008
- Launched: Cestria Chester-le-Street outreach centre.
- 1000th school attends Learning Through Football education programme.
2009
- Launched: Caterpillar outreach centre at Easington.
- Winners: Learning Winner for Pitstop education programme at Children and Young People Awards.
- Winners: Kicks Club of the Year.
2010
- Winners: High Sheriff Award for Great and Valuable Services to the Community
- Honoured: Received ASDAN acknowledgement of Outstanding Practice.
- Launched: Little Dribblers programme working with children as young as two.
2011
- First international soccer camp held.
- Foundation becomes EDEXCEL-accredited centre, allowing delivery of nationally recognised qualifications.
- Sunderland City Council Strategic Partnership formed.
- Winners: High Sheriff Award for Great and Valuable Services to the Community.
2012
- SAFC Foundation rebranded as Foundation of Light.
- Launched: Derwentside Homes outreach centre.
- Winners: Learn Where You Are Award for Family Learning.
2013
- Launched: Beacon of Light fundraising campaign.
- Launched: livin Sedgefield outreach centre.
2015
- Free School application approved.
- Winners: Employability programme Back in the Game wins National Project of the Year at NIACE Adult Learners’ Week.
- Launched: Washington outreach centre based within Washington Millennium Centre.
- Back in the Game employability courses delivered in Washington.
2016
- Foundation CEO Lesley Spuhler awarded an OBE for services to North East charities.
- Launched: Beacon of Light School opens within the Stadium of Light.
- The Beacon of Light passes important milestone as Foundation Trustees approve construction to start on the £20m building.
2017
- Chair of Trustees Sir Bob Murray CBE joins pupils from Southwick Primary to bury a time capsule at the Beacon of Light site.
- Foundation of Light’s Ministry of Food Family Learning programme is given the royal seal of approval at Festival of Learning’s 25th Anniversary.
- Sunderland-born business leader Gavin Slark is named Ambassador for his outstanding fundraising efforts and commitment to improving lives across the North East.
- Launched: Powered by Water programme in partnership with Northumbrian Water aimed at improving children’s health through hydration.
- Launched: Year two of Tesco Bank Junior Players sports programme.
- Winners: ‘Education/Training Organisations up to 150 staff’ category at the North East Equality Awards.
2018
- Winners: Family Learning Ministry of Food programme wins Northern Project of the Year.
- Launched: Back in the Game expands into Hartlepool in partnership with North Star Housing.
- Launched: Veterans Employability programme in partnership with Armed Forces Covenant.
- Foundation of Light hosts a Beacon of Light fundraising dinner at Buckingham Palace attended by the charity’s Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.
- The Beacon of Light opens its doors to the public.
- Launched: SSE Wildcats weekly football sessions at Harton College to inspire more girls to get involved in football.
- Nominated: Foundation of Light Girls’ Talent Pathway, which has engaged over 500 participants in the past 12 months, shortlisted for ‘Best Participation Initiative’ at the FA Women’s Football Awards.
- Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of the country’s most successful ever Paralympians and a leading campaigner for the development of sport in the UK, joins the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
- Award: Foundation of Light recieves The Equality Standard ‘Gold’ Award for our commitment to equality and diversity.
- Winners: Foundation of Light, Middlesbrough Foundation and Newcastle United Foundation team up to win the ‘Uniquely North East’ prize at the North East Charity Awards.
- Foundation of Light’s educational centre in the heart of a Chester-le-Street estate is been given a new look before re-opening its doors to the public, thanks to Karbon Homes.
- Winners: Foundation of Light is recognised at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards, picking up the Special Community prize.
- History: Foundation of Light’s Ladies Scholars win their opening fixture in the EFL’s first competitive football league for females.
2019
- Beacon of Light officially opens: Foundation of Light’s Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, officially opens the Beacon of Light.
- Winner: The Beacon of Light wins Project of the Year and Community Benefit awards at the 2019 RICS Awards.
- The Foundation and Beacon of Light described as “highly impressive” by the DCMS Select Committee in its report into Changing Lives: the social impact of participation in culture and sport.
The Foundation of Light was founded with the aim of inspiring people to change their lives for the better through the power of education and sport.
