A Sunderland man has thanked his guide dog for making a huge difference to his life. Craig Blackbird, from Houghton-Le-Spring, got Commando in June 2012. Before he got Commando, Craig would barely leave the house alone, but now his life has turned around. Mr Blackbird said: “It’s incalculable really the difference he’s […]
Author: Sophie Dishman
EXCLUSIVE: North East Pop Up Choir to perform at BBC Free Thinking Festival
A North East pop up choir is set to perform at the BBC Free Thinking Festival at the Sage in Gateshead. A group of 8 singers from around the region will come together to create two bespoke vocal ‘noise pieces’ as a soundscape to spoken word. They will be working […]
Rowlands Gill family receiving #CardsForDom ahead of the 21st birthday they thought he’d never reach
A family from Rowlands Gill, Gateshead have started to receive cards ahead of his 21st birthday. Lisa Skeen, 44 and Bethany Dodgson, 23 are hoping to receive cards from people around the UK and the world, to give Dominic Skeen a birthday he won’t forget on July 10. Dominic, who has a […]
Sunderland aid worker set to fast in order to raise funds for Yemen
A Sunderland aid worker is fasting for a minimum of 8 hours on Sunday, February 26, in order to raise awareness and funds of the current situation in Yemen. According to Taz Maqsood and his colleagues, who have contact with a doctor currently in Yemen, Dr Ashwaq Muharram, all aid […]
Gateshead family come together to give disabled son a 21st birthday to remember
A Gateshead family has come together to give their much loved son and brother a 21st birthday he won’t forget. Lisa Skeen, 44 and Bethany Dodgson, 23 are hoping to give 20-year-old Dominic Skeen cards from people around the UK and the world. The pair from Rowlands Gill, in Gateshead, would […]
Realities on the hospital frontline: “good care is being provided within the time constraints”
A student nurse has highlighted that despite the bed pressures currently faced in hospitals across the North East “good care is being provided within the time constraints.” Rhys Mood is in his final stage of training and works in the North East. He has been on a variety of placement […]
Armed police seal off South Shields street
Police have sealed off a South Shields street with a cordon in an ongoing incident. At 11.55am this morning (February 8), police received a report of concern for a man in an address in Moreland Road making threats and stating he had a firearm. The incident is currently contained inside […]
Sunderland student heads home to New York for Trump’s inauguration
A University of Sunderland student has headed home to New York for the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States (US). Philip Ward, is currently in his hometown of Buffalo ready to watch Donald Trump being sworn in as the new elected leader of the US. The 21-year-old Republican is a […]
Whitley Bay woman knitting hats for Syrian refugees
A Whitley Bay woman has begun knitting hats for Syrian refugees. Beccy Owen began knitting two years ago to help with depression and anxiety and has now said she is “addicted.” She knitted hats for Refugee Aid Network UK and is now making them for Knit For Peace. Ms Owen […]
The Chamber’s Chief Executive “proud as punch” at receiving Sunderland University honorary degree
The North East England Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive James Ramsbotham has received his honorary doctorate from the University of Sunderland. The 57-year-old, who currently lives in the Durham Dales has been chief executive of the Chamber for more than a decade and as such has been recognised for his outstanding career in business and commitment to supporting […]