They're the people of Wearside who made sure life had a smile on its face.
The characters who made their mark on the world - some through sheer hard work, some through their amazing lives and some whose personalities we just loved.
There's Jack Reay who sold hot potatoes to the people of Sunderland in all weathers - and always dressed in a suit.
Nana Iris was a social media hit and her outspoken views were loved by millions of people.
Margaret Shipley was a Sunderland crab seller from 11 years old and was still doing it in her 70s.
That's just for starters. Find out more in our Echo archive tribute.
There's Jack Reay who sold hot potatoes to the people of Sunderland in all weathers - and always dressed in a suit.
![Heart of gold and always happy to chat.
Dave the Rave, whose real name is Dave Common, is well known in Sunderland for his love of rave.
He was last in the news 2 years ago when he teamed up with long time friend Elaine Rennie
to record a version of track
Rave Heaven.
It was viewed more than 100,000
times in three days.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/8/ch8.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Heart of gold and always happy to chat. Dave the Rave, whose real name is Dave Common, is well known in Sunderland for his love of rave. He was last in the news 2 years ago when he teamed up with long time friend Elaine Rennie to record a version of track Rave Heaven. It was viewed more than 100,000 times in three days.
Heart of gold and always happy to chat. Dave the Rave, whose real name is Dave Common, is well known in Sunderland for his love of rave. He was last in the news 2 years ago when he teamed up with long time friend Elaine Rennie to record a version of track Rave Heaven. It was viewed more than 100,000 times in three days. | se