Sunderland have announced that, while the team is away this weekend, the Stadium of Light will be opened as a shelter for homeless and vulnerable people in the local area.
With the Black Cats playing at Millwall on Saturday, their ground will be made available to help vulnerable people make it through the sub-zero temperatures forecast in the city over the next few days…
🏟 #SAFC is opening its doors to the homeless and vulnerable this weekend, providing a safe and warm environment in the bitter conditions forecast.
More information here… 👇https://t.co/vStSRuHGwv
— Sunderland AFC 🔴⚪ (@SunderlandAFC) March 2, 2018
As per the information on Sunderland’s official website, the club have created a special “warm room” at the Stadium of Light which will be open all weekend.
There will be places to sleep, as well as hot food and drinks being served by a team of staff. Pets are also welcome.
The club have also said that anybody wishing to make donations of food or clothing, etc, should bring them to the Stadium of Light reception at any point (during their 9am-5pm opening hours) over the next three days.
Excellent stuff, and something many more football clubs should be looking at doing.
Given the way Sunderland are playing at the moment, they might actually want to think about making this a permanent change.