Readers praise local businesses and share uplifting stories as part of #SupportLocal campaign

Earlier this week, we asked Echo readers for examples of what local businesses have been doing to adapt, survive and support their local communities as part of our #SupportLocal campaign.

Over 100 people replied to our Facebook post, commenting with positive stories about how the area has come together.

Here are just some of the responses – you can continue to contact us with your stories via the Sunderland Echo Facebook or Twitter pages.

Shirley Rose: Bob Singh from nisa barmston in Washington has went above and beyond to help the elderly in Washington he has people delivering bread and all kinds to them well done bob and the people helping to deliver them yous are doing a fantastic job

Lynn Laws: My son has a gaming shack at pennywell Battlestorm gaming he had an online game of-fortnite last night with ppl in their own houses he is buying 50pd worth of hand cream for the nurses at rvi where his wife works and a sweet hamper from urban headshop also at pennywell they are donating a hamper as well

Jackie Walton: Angelo’s Ristorante Sunderland were very kind and brought beautiful food to the staff team at Tavistock House Day Nursery as a thank you for being key-workers supporting our families who are in the front line, a huge thank you from all of us

Shakilah Ahmed: Bombay Barn in Washington free meals for the elderly well done to them..

Daniella Hanson: 35 free Sunday lunches to those who are struggling financially or can’t reach an elderly person or key works such as nhs staff doorstep delivery from Sunderland food prep

Demi Naugher: Robsons foodstore (vg) Town end farm.. Gone above and beyond to make sure people r getting supplies they need and put lots of things in place for a safe and hygienic shop

Chloe Steel Sharon: Johnstone zigzags going above and beyond self isolating in her sewing business making 100s of faces masks every day to prevent you from touching your face offering delivery too. thank you xxx

Moz Ellis: Woods n scruffs Durham as a 3 bedroom house for NHS worker who needs to isolate from family for FREE

Keith Rowe: Integrity Computers at Boldon. Cellular Solutions (North East) at end of the A1231. Despite them both having to close their own HQ premises they’ve been both remotely setting up a week’s worth of normal remote-worker IT/laptop pc configurations daily for the last number of weeks. enabling lots of businesses and a/e workers to soften the blow of not being able to attend their own work offices/premises to keep wheels turning. Unseen works but undoubtedly hundreds of jobs & local businesses saved in their hour of need.

Fletcher Locks too, emergency call outs, not charging key workers despite their own drop off in livelihood. Absolute quality having these small businesses serving Sunderland city and beyond.

Sandra Wilson: Cooplands Bakery have delivered fresh bread, bread buns and cakes to the paediatric wards at Sunderland Royal which are much appreciated thank you Laura Smart

Rachel Gurak: Tropical Wholefoods are producing meal replacement bars. 4 a day and some water gives you all the nutrients you need - for every case bought on their website they are donating a case to a local homeless shelter at a time when donations of food are dwindling. They are also using the profits of sales to top up staff ssp when sick or self isolating. Small local company in Southwick doing good things.

Zed Hussain: Pizza Uno on St Lukes Terrace has been giving free pizzas to NHS staff since before the lock down and still is.

Tess Maker: Robson of Sunderland st Luke’s Terrace pallion gave me 2 lovely ham shanks free to make a broth for my team mates on C33 at the hospital . The team will be very great-full when I deliver it for lunch tomorrow well done Robsons butchers 🤩

Shakilah Ahmed: Washington Village Store doing delivery,s to isolated family,s and elderly looking out for the community in this difficult situation. God bless everybody who,s helping out. .

Sue Thornton: The Little Peppercorn tea rooms in Hetton are still doing deliveries & takeaway meals in the hetton area. A lot of the meals are to the elderly who also need some essentials delivered which they are quite willing to do. Also delivery is free.

Rebecca Chapman: Futurewave academy of performing arts providing free online dance and fitness activities and challenges x

Deb Walker: Pallion Action Group which is charity run have handed out over 800 activity packs for children, over 200 food packs, picking up prescriptions, helping people with benefit and employment support, delivering packed lunches, the volunteers and staff have been totally amazing, even working 12 hour shifts sometimes and working weekends. This has all become possible because of one amazing lady Karen Wood.

Neil Henry: We’re providing refrigeration equipment and repairs to the NHS and food suppliers HLA Services Ltd

Craig Harris: QuizzyWizzy from Sunderland hosts an online quiz four nights a week to relieve boredom for people.