SUNDERLAND AFC captain John O’ Shea is urging fans to support the club’s charity.

The Foundation of Light works with youngsters and families in the city, South Tyneside and County Durham

Saturday’s (October 25) home game against Arsenal is the annual Foundation Matchday to raise awareness of its work.

Players will wear special shirts bearing the Foundation’s logo and there will be a half-time display featuring Foundation course participants.

O’Shea said: “Foundation of Light are great at using the power of football to help change people’s lives and it’s something that every Sunderland fan should be proud of.

“As players we are very aware of the positive impact that the club can have on the community and the Foundation Matchday is a big part of that.”

Fans can also support Foundation of Light by buying £1 Grand in your Hand matchday lottery tickets before all Barclays Premier League home games.

Foundation of Light Chief Executive Lesley Spuhler comments “Sunderland fans have been fantastic by supporting our work through the Grand in your Hand lottery, raising more than £62,000 for our projects last season.

“However, if just a quarter of the crowd at this weekend’s matchday bought a lottery ticket we would raise an additional £6,000 from that match alone – enough to fund educational courses about racism, bullying, healthy living, substance misuse and alcohol to more than 680 children across the region’s schools.”