The scale of the operation to help Sunderland families and businesses during pandemic revealed

Sunderland City Council leaders have revealed the scale of assistance given to firms and families over the last year.
The matter was discussed at the last full council meeting.The matter was discussed at the last full council meeting.
The matter was discussed at the last full council meeting.

Many households and businesses have found themselves struggling with everything from nutritious meals to scarce personal protective equipment (PPE) since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

To mark 12 months since the start of the first national lockdown, Sunderland City Council leader, Cllr Graeme Miller has paid tribute to the local authority staff who ‘kept the city going’.

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He said: “As I reflected on the past year, first and foremost my thoughts were with those who suffered loss, illness, and the worst impacts of this disease.

“There are countless superheroes throughout this city, from caring neighbours and community volunteers to the army of key workers [keeping] vital services going.

“Our own council team have been, and are, unswerving in their commitment to support the city and as residents – they have quite simply been exemplary public servants.”

Cllr Miller was speaking at last week’s (Wednesday, March 24) meeting of the full city council, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

Among the achievements highlighted at the meeting were:

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29,000 free school meal packed lunches provided 730,500 calls from residents and customers answered by the telecare services and customer service network teams 1,120 volunteers recruited or worked with 1,082 track and trace calls completed since January More than 2,000 alterations to homes, on top of 28,500 items of essential equipment delivered and installed Almost 3,000 litres of hand sanitizer and 640,000 face masks delivered to organisations and service providers across Wearside £72 million in much needed business grants paid out, alongside business rates relief worth £42 million

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