VE Day project goes virtual as it gathers stories to remember soldiers from Sunderland's coalfields

A tribute to the sons of Sunderland coalfields who served their country is going digital to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
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The original plan was to put up displays in community hubs, but with the coronavirus scuppering any chance of people visiting the four exhibitions, the team behind it decided to take it direct to the people.

Now the Virtual VE project is striving to remember those who served their country during the Second World War online.

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The Virtual VE Day project is now online for everyone to look at.The Virtual VE Day project is now online for everyone to look at.
The Virtual VE Day project is now online for everyone to look at.
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Each member of the services is acknowledged through a panel detailing their title in the Armed Forces, how old they were and when they died, family members’ names and if there is a war memorial where they are remembered.

Among them is one for Hugh Paisley, a relative of the late Bob Paisley, the Hetton-born footballer who found success as Liverpool’s manager from 1974 to 1983.

The displays were due to go up in St Matthew’s in Newbottle, St Aidan's Community Centre in Middle Herrington, Hetton New Dawn, and ShARP in Shiney Row, the base for the Shiney Marras group, with each now given their own site.

While it was launched to mark the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the team is already looking ahead to Armistice Day 2020 as it gathers further details.

Herrington is one of four areas to have its own online exhibition as part of the research.Herrington is one of four areas to have its own online exhibition as part of the research.
Herrington is one of four areas to have its own online exhibition as part of the research.
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John Walls, Coalfield digital inclusion officer, is based at the Springboard Hetton Hub, and also oversees free photo restoration and family tree classes, and has praised the work put in by volunteers.

He added: “We had planned to have it all finished for the Friday, but because of the ongoing issues with the virus, we still wanted to do something with all the information we had.

“But even though it’s the 75th anniversary of VE Day, this is ongoing and we’re going to try and spread it out and keep all the project’s posters going.”

How one of the physical versions of the four displays looked ahead of plans to put it online.How one of the physical versions of the four displays looked ahead of plans to put it online.
How one of the physical versions of the four displays looked ahead of plans to put it online.

The online displays are:

*Hetton Heroes Memorial Page: https://albumizr.com/a/I63e

*Newbottle Heroes Memorial Page: https://albumizr.com/a/7Rgq

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*Herrington Heroes Memorial Page: https://albumizr.com/a/CbFk

The poster put together to honour Hugh Paisley, a relative of Bob Paisley the footballer and manager.The poster put together to honour Hugh Paisley, a relative of Bob Paisley the footballer and manager.
The poster put together to honour Hugh Paisley, a relative of Bob Paisley the footballer and manager.

*Shiney Heroes Memorial Page: https://albumizr.com/a/jaYn

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Coalfields digital inclusion officer John Walls has helped volunteers as they researched the project.Coalfields digital inclusion officer John Walls has helped volunteers as they researched the project.
Coalfields digital inclusion officer John Walls has helped volunteers as they researched the project.

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