Annual Remembrance Day parade cancelled
Sunderland City Council have announced that the Remembrance Day parade and service will be online this year.
It comes as cases of COVID -19 continue to rise on Wearside, forcing Sunderland City Council to make the decision to not go ahead with the annual city centre parade and service.
An online service will be hosted instead on Sunday, November 8 to allow members of the public to pay their respects and it will include the two-minute silence at 11am.
Sunderland City Council leader, Cll Graeme Miller said the decision is disappointing, but necessary to ensure that everyone is protected.
He commented: "I understand that this will be disappointing for all those who take part in the parade each year and the thousands of visitors who come to pay their respects.
“But the safety and welfare of our residents and visitors has to be our priority during this crucial time."
The council has begun creating a series of short films that will reflect on what the act of Remembrance means to the people of Sunderland to compliment the online service.
Cllr Miller added: "These films feature the general public, notable members of the community and those connected to our armed forces. We hope they will capture the real sense of pride our community has in all those who have served and still serve."
Sunderland City Council will not be permitting any events on council land or the highway on Sunday, November 8, and Wednesday, November 11, and said that further details of the online service will be coming soon.