'We're in this together' - Echo readers send messages of love to Sunderland families during pandemic

We asked you to shout out the people doing their best in the toughest of circumstances – from helping their families with shopping to home schooling and just getting through the day with a smile.

Here are some of your messages of support for loved ones during the tough days of Lockdown 3.

Thank you to everyone who shared a story on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Chez Hamilton: “Shout out to every mum and dad doing their best every day. Some working, some stay at home. We’re in this together.”

Margo Lax: “All parents with disabled children … shielding them and keeping them extra safe in this cruel Covid world. But we will get there.”

Vicki Lunn: My husband Kevin Lunn for being mine and our five kids’ rock throughout the whole pandemic. Working throughout yet still there to support with home schooling and keeping us all entertained ... I don’t tell him as much as I should what he means to us.”

Megan Matthews: Shout out to my mam Karen Priest Matthews for being the strongest person I've ever come across, making the hardest/ worst times our our lives since losing dad Dean Matthews that little bit more bearable, we've got this, and shout out to my dad for sending down strength when we've needed it most, always with us.”

Kelly Anne Pearce: “I shout out to all parents and the fact it's hard work … but also precious and made us so much closer as families and realise the little moments we take for granted. It's been amazing spending precious, hard, and trying times but all anyone needs is love and you can get through anything. Keep up the hard work.”

Bill Walton: “My wife Helen. She has juggled being a mam whilst homeschooling and making sure her dad is OK. This has left me to run my business whilst helping where I can. There’s no way I could do both.”

Lindsey Lawton: “My son Jay as he’s been an absoloute star through this pandemic and misses his friends so much.”

June Potts: “I say a very big well done to my grandkids who have missed out on so much this past year, special birthdays and holidays without a word of complaint, and to all kids you have done brilliantly in dreadful circumstances.”

Jimmy Taylor: “A shout out to our daughter Katy for doing an amazing job of home schooling her son Daniel, 12,and daughter Maisie, age eight.”

Mary Hall Etheridge: “My gorgeous sister Sandra, going to hospital every three weeks for management chemo, never moaning even though this has gone on for years, she’ll never give up that’s why we love her so much.”

Amanda Day: A shout out to my daughters Amy and Lucy Farquhar for going above and beyond during lockdown, following the rules and keeping themselves safe and helping out, wherever they have been able to, their granda (my dad) and his wife have tested positive and the girls have done shopping for them. Hearts of gold one proud mum here.”

Elizabeth Fletcher: “Well done to my children doing school work with my grandchildren. Linsey is a frontline worker with a child, Natalie has four in school, one not, and she’s doing home schooling while hubby working in food store. Norman is a delivery driver, partner Lauren a care worker with a son and daughter. Keep it up you are doing great, we are all in this together, good luck everyone and well done. Stay safe.”

Deb Carter-Davis: “A massive amazing shout out to my sister Leanne Davis who has five kids at home while her partner works full time, she’s home schooling four of them while she has a one-year-old too. She is an amazing mother to her five kids and she had a heart of gold, but would still go out of her way and give her last penny to anyone in need. She is my sister and my best friend I know how hard it is on my own with two.”

Clare Liddle: “To every mam and dad regardless of their circumstances, this is a really difficult time and you’re doing amazing. You’re doing amazing even when you think you are are drowning! Just remember, all anyone needs is love and we can provide that no matter what else is shut down! And always remember being okay is good enough! No need to pressure yourself to be perfect! My personal shout out is Graeme, you are an amazing dad, and my mam and dad for being the best in the whole world.”

Emma Burnett: Lynsey Sewell being the mam and the dad and the friend and the sister all at once, looking after her kids and being there for them. Working in care which is a hard job in itself. Keeping herself and family going. Doing amazing, stay strong petal.”

Angela Fenwick Kendal: “I’d like to say thanks to my son Kyle Kendal for helping me and minding his sister so I can have a few hours sleep after night shift so thank you Kyle for keeping your six-year-old sisfter safe, entertained and making her lunch so I can have a little nap.”

Kimberley Murray: “All the SEN parents out there, the ones of us who are tired and stretched under normal circumstances but we keep on going like the warriors we are!”

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