December 10, 2025
One Region, Two Clubs, Thousands of Lives Changed
On 14th December, all eyes in the North East will be on the Stadium of Light as Sunderland host Newcastle United in one of football’s most iconic rivalries, the Wear-Tyne derby. While these two cities will compete on the pitch, off it they are united in something far more powerful.
Since 2017, the Harrison Foundation has proudly supported both the Foundation of Light and the Newcastle United Foundation, helping to fund Harrison Centres for Social Mobility in each city. While fans wear different colours, the work taking place in both centres reflects our mission of giving people a hand up through education, skills and opportunity.
The impact of these partnerships is clear to see. In Sunderland, the Harrison Centre, based at the Beacon of Light, supported 263 learners in 2024, including 14 aged 16 – 18. Of those younger learners, 86% progressed into further education or employment. Among the 249 adult learners, 53% went on to a positive destination, and of those who moved into work, 87% were still in employment six months later. These are life-changing numbers, in a region that continues to face deep-rooted economic challenges.
At the Harrison Centre, based at NUCASTLE, the Newcastle United Foundation has created an exciting digital learning environment accessed by over 2,000 people this year alone. Through free after-school clubs, community sessions and BTEC programmes, the Centre provides cutting-edge access to esports and digital technology, sectors that are growing rapidly and opening new doors for young people. Since the Harrison Foundation-funded BTEC Esports programme began, 158 students have taken part. In 2023/24, 40 students were enrolled, 16 at Level 2 and 24 at Level 3. Many are now progressing into the digital sector, further education or employment.
For the Harrison Foundation, the work in both cities reflects the core belief that opportunity should not be determined by postcode. These are long-term partnerships that reflect our vision for social mobility, whether in red and white or black and white.
Sir David Harrison, founder of the Harrison Foundation, said: “People often talk about the rivalry between Sunderland and Newcastle, and it’s there, no doubt, especially when football is involved. But what really matters is the work happening in these communities every day. We’re proud to support both Foundations because they share our belief in opportunity, hard work and giving people a hand up.”
Daniel Harrison MBE added: “It’s great to see how two cities can be rivals on the pitch but very much united in something off it. Through our partnerships with both Foundations, we’re helping people learn new skills, grow in confidence and change their lives. That’s the real win, and it doesn’t matter what colours you wear to get there.”
The Harrison Foundation is proud to support Sunderland and Newcastle, not just as football cities, but as places where opportunity is being created every day and where the impact lasts way beyond 90 minutes.