Sunderland AFC‘s Joel Lynch has pledged his support to the Sans Street Youth and Community Centre.
Based in Hendon, the registered charity and voluntary organisation, which has been running since 1969, offers a range of support and events for people of all ages, including preparation for work programmes, youth clubs and holiday activities, sports qualifications and free courses for adults.
In October, Lynch visited the youth and community centre alongside SAFC midfielder George Dobson to support their Autumn National Citizen Service project - a programme ran by Foundation of Light - which is designed to provide teenagers with vital experience across a range of fields.
And after witnessing the exemplary work that the facility and its volunteers undertake, the defender is set to continue his support, starting with a personal donation to help ensure the centre can continue to make a vital impact within the community.
Speaking about the donation, Lynch said: “The guys running the centre are really nice people and when me and Dobbo went a month or so ago, we got involved with some of the activities they run within the community. Although I’ve not been at the club very long, throughout my career I’ve always felt it’s important that as players our contribution goes beyond what happens on the pitch.
“The volunteers make a massive effort to put these things on, and it was great to see so many people benefitting, but they need some support with things like equipment. I’m fortunate to be in a position whereby this is the type of thing I can help with, but my support is nothing compared to the work the volunteers put in on a daily basis.”
Lynch is set to return to the centre later this month to deliver the donation and offer further support to the volunteers.