■ Time for the real heroes of pandemic to take a bow
One year has passed since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown in England due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 12 months since that date – March 23, 2020 – have been difficult for all of us in so many ways.
So today, as we reflect on a year like no other, we wanted to shine a light on the special people who have helped you through the pandemic, and all it has thrown at us.
Sunderland Echo readers have been nominating the wonderful souls who have had their back on the dark days.
Here are some of your pandemic heroes, and the stories you told about them on our Facebook page:
Michelle Robson: “My sister Gemma Robinson and my sister-in-law Louisa Robinson, both frontline NHS workers. Both deserve a medal."
June Potts: “My daughters Deborah Leigh Potts and Tracey Anne Potts. Also my sister Tina Barker, without these three I would’ve found it very hard especially at the beginning as we were sheltering a vulnerable person,.”
Jo Horn: “My two beautiful friends Vicky Collier and Ashleigh Collier, doing my shopping while having Covid-19. Horrid situations like this you really do know who your friends are and who you can count on.”
Linda Fisken: “All my work colleagues at Holmewood Supported Accommodation for young people. We have smashed this last year.”
Bryony Jade Fucile:
“All my amazing colleagues who've been there for me through bereavement, maternity and emotional mid-shift meltdowns! I'm privileged to work with such a supportive and genuine bunch of people.”
Melanie Turnbull: “My beautiful partner David Spencer, my family, friends and work pals where we were working in the same environment in a care home and been through a lot and for that love you all, thank you.”
Gillian Meggy Swalwell:
“I had a brain haemorrhage on March 10 last year. Not only have I been recovering, but had to go through many lows of this Covid pandemic.
My husband has been there through it all with me. He has been a god send.”
Lisa Surtees: “My daughter Emily, through this pandemic, it’s been me and her, don’t know what I’d have without her, and her mouth haha.”
Sarah Louise Fairclough:
“My parents as they have supported me the whole time, I'm a single parent with two autistic children and it's not been easy and they've enabled me to have a break or have a good whinge when I’ve needed it.”
Carol Walia-Modral:
“Young couple next door Jan and Dave, my granddaughter and her husband Paul who did all the garden and cleaned all fallen leaves etc. Thanks to them all.”
Jos Hounslow: “McCabe Aesthetics working outdoors for PT sessions in minus degrees consistently from 7am. Working with limited equipment but ensuring myself and his clients didn’t suffer mentally with the gym closures.”
Carl Bonallie: “Fulwell News amazing couple who go out of their way to accommodate.”
Deb Hockaday: “Eve Goldsmith, you have been amazing and give us lots of laughs to get us through.”