It's Volunteer Week from June 1 and that means a chance to herald the often unseen heroes who do their bit in the communities of Wearside and County Durham.
Here is our retro tribute to a handful of volunteers who have featured in the pages of the Sunderland Echo in years gone by.
From clothing bank workers to animal charity champions, we've got them all.
Have a look and see if you can spot a hero from your neighbourhood.
From clothing bank workers to animal charity champions, we've got them all.
9. A scene from the Sunderland Volunteer Life Brigade Museum when it was awarded £9,300 by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014. Pictured with a sample of the artefacts at the museum were l-r Thomas Cavanagh, Darren Moon, Alastair Youle and Mathew Gleghorn.
A scene from the Sunderland Volunteer Life Brigade Museum when it was awarded £9,300 by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014. Pictured with a sample of the artefacts at the museum were l-r Thomas Cavanagh, Darren Moon, Alastair Youle and Mathew Gleghorn.
10. Colin Dixon, a volunteer with the Sunderland charity Animal Krackers was joined by some feline friends for this 2012 photo.
Colin Dixon, a volunteer with the Sunderland charity Animal Krackers was joined by some feline friends for this 2012 photo.
11. Tell us about the people you would like to see in our nostalgia columns. Email [email protected]
Tell us about the people you would like to see in our nostalgia columns. Email [email protected]