Sunderland Echo

SAFC hope a ‘short’ change can make a big difference

- Tony Gillan tony.gillan@jpimedia.co.uk @sunderland­echo

Sunderland footballer­s are to wear red shorts rather than their traditiona­l black in their next home game, to raise awareness of poverty in the city.

SAFC is dedicating the game against Hull City at the Stadium of Light on Good Friday,April7(kick-off5.30pm)to theiroffic­ialcharity,theFoundat­ion of Light.

The fixture will support the Small Change Big Difference campaign, showcasing the charity’s work and raising vitalfunds­tosupportf­amilies, who increasing­ly feel the impactofth­ecost-of-livingcris­is and rising energy costs.

Recent studies show that the North East has the highest rate of child poverty in the UK.InSunderla­ndalmost40% of the city’s population lives in “relative poverty”; one of the highest rates in Europe.

The Foundation wants to continue to help tackle those statistics.

Supporters­canhelpbyd­onating a small amount, if they can,tomakeabig­difference­to the lives of local people.

:: £2.50 a month enables the charity to provide a safe, warm space with a hot drink andsomethi­ngtoeatfor­those struggling­toheatthei­rhomes.

::£4amonthcon­tributesto providing a food pack to teach a family how to cook a healthy meal on a budget.

:: £5 a month supports an older adult to attend a full weekofacti­vitiestoke­epthem warm, socially and physically active.

:: £10 a month provides a child in receipt of free school

meals with food and activities during the school holidays.

The change of shorts for the Hull game is to signify "howasmallc­hangecanma­ke a big difference”.

SAFC has thanked Eleven SportsMedi­a,itsofficia­lbackof-shorts sponsor, who are allowing the Foundation’s logo to be displayed on the team’s shorts for the game.

The one-off shorts will be signed by players after the game and be put up for auction.

All proceeds will support the Small Change Big Difference campaign.

Theclubwil­lalsodonat­e£1 for every match ticket sold to support the cause.

Foundation of Light CEO Lesley Spuhler explained: “SmallChang­e,BigDiffere­nce has a simple message.

“By donating a small amount, or whatever you can, each month, you can make a real and life-changing difference to children, older people and families across the region.”

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 ?? ?? Sunderland played Luton in their traditiona­l black shorts. But the shorts will be red for the home game against Hull City on Good Friday.
Sunderland played Luton in their traditiona­l black shorts. But the shorts will be red for the home game against Hull City on Good Friday.

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