Duchess of Edinburgh hosts St James' Palace lunch for Sunderland AFC charity
The Duchess of Edinburgh hosted a lunch at St James' Palace for the official Sunderland AFC charity. Her Royal Highness is a Patron of the Foundation of Light, and brought together the dedicated supporters of the charity to celebrate their achievements
Set within the historic walls of St James's Palace, the special occasion in the historic building allowed the people involved to reflect on the transformative work carried out by the charity, which delivers education, sport, health, and employability programmes across the North East, impacting tens of thousands of people.
The event was an afternoon of inspiring stories and insights into the charity's success, since it was founded in 2001. Since then, it has worked with over half a million people, investing over 40 million into communities across Sunderland, Durham and South Tyneside.
READ MORE: Sunderland watch on as Man City relegation verdict delivered on FFP charges
READ MORE: Unseen Sunderland work vital for Black Cats Championship promotion aims
The Foundation aims to keep young people in school, help people live more active lifestyles, support people into work and stop men from taking their own lives. Those at the event previewed upcoming initiatives and reinforced a commitment to fostering resilience and ambition in communities in the region.
Sir Bob Murray CBE, Foundation of Light Chairman, said: "The work of the Foundation is only possible thanks to the generosity and belief of our supporters. The event at St James's Palace allows us to celebrate not just what we’ve achieved, but also what’s to come as we continue to grow and expand our reach.
"The Foundation of Light extends its deepest gratitude to The Duchess of Edinburgh for her continued patronage and inspiring leadership and we are grateful to have had this special occasion to celebrate those who continue to offer the charity their unwavering support, including our dedicated staff and volunteers, who remain integral to our ongoing success."