Here’s a look back at the past 12 months. We’ve picked one story from each month for a glimpse of what went on in 2019. They might inspire, annoy or amuse you.
1. JANUARY: Giant steps from a little man
Three year-old Ryhope tough-guy and cerebral palsy sufferer Hunter Maskell, here with his parents Gary and Chloe, ran the Mini Great North Run. He had only first walked in the summer of 2017. Chloe said: “It was 1.2 miles and he ran the whole lot, bless him.” Photo: Sunderland Echo
2. FEBRUARY: Bizarre bun fight in the council chamber
Leader of Sunderland Council, Graeme Miller, taunted opposition councillors, who wanted free meals for members to be scrapped, by waving a lunchbox at them. The free meals have since been scrapped. Photo: Sunderland Echo
3. MARCH: A public inconvenience
John Hill, 78, was trapped for an hour in a disabled toilet at Park Lane interchange. The partially-sighted Seaham man went to shake the hand of his rescuer, who pulled back and said: "Have you washed your hands?" Photo: Sunderland Echo
4. APRIL: Riona's got the Genfactor
Gentoo's talent contest, the Genfactor, had its 10th anniversary. The winner was 12 year-old singer and St Anthony's pupil Riona Sorianosos (front middle in a blue dress) for her version of Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing. Riona said she was "shocked" when the result was announced. Photo: Sunderland Echo