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Magical Mackems is a page dedicated to bigging up the people and places that make us incredibly proud to be from Wearside. Take a look at those who have been lighting up our city in recent weeks…
Mackems honoured by Her Majesty… We’re delighted to learn that Ellen Thinnesen and Rob Lawson have both been awarded OBEs in the Queen’s New Year 2021 Honours List. Both major players in our city’s education and culture offering, Ellen and Rob were honoured for their outstanding contribution to education for their work with Education Partnership North East (EPNE), a fabulous partnership that incorporates the likes of Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form. Ellen was appointed Chief Executive and Principal at Sunderland College in 2016 and after both mergers became Chief 20
Executive for EPNE in 2019. Rob is a current trustee at Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust. He was a former Editor of The Shields Gazette and currently works in public relations across the city. The fantastic news regarding Mackems mentioned in the New Year’s Honours List doesn’t stop there! We’re reserving special mention for Tom and Carla Cuthbertson - a local couple who were awarded MBEs for their poignant charity work honouring son Nathan's memory. This inspiring couple devoted themselves to raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and raising the profile of those who have served in the military since their 19-year-old Nathan died in 2008. The brains and sheer determination behind the likes of ‘Cuthy’s Big Bike Ride' and the Memorial Wall, Tom and Carla are now working on developing the National Veterans’ Walk; a pathway in Mowbray Park that features the names of hundreds who have served their country. EDUCATIONPARTNERSHIPNE.AC.UK | NATIONALVETERANSWALK.CO.UK
Sunderland Nursing Team honoured in NHS Parliamentary Awards! Words can’t describe how proud we are of our NHS staff who are working tirelessly day and night to keep our city safe, so to see that they’ve been specifically honoured by MPs and NHS leaders in the 2020 Parliamentary Awards, we feel, is justly deserved. In case you didn’t know, our wonderful team of community nurses were handpicked as regional winners across
the whole of the North East and Yorkshire in the ‘Future NHS’ category for their unbelievable efforts during the pandemic. The team were nominated for providing outstanding advice and psychological support to care home staff, helping vulnerable people to undertake COVID-19 swabs as well as offering virtual and faceto-face consultations for all residents discharged recently from hospital. Our NHS heroes deserve all the plaudits they can get and more, so it’s truly heartwarming to see their exemplary work recognised nationally! STSFT.NHS.UK
Jack Berry flies high for charity… Now this is a heart-warming story! We’re shouting high and low for Jack Berry this spring, as this generous Mackem and aviation enthusiast has illustrated a brilliant book in aid of military charities after taking up art as an outlet during the pandemic. Jack Berry, a Sunderland local, began drawing planes in his own time last summer. His creations were that great that Red Arrows squadron leader, Adam Collins, and Formula 1 ace, Lando Norris, have all supported his book! This cool new project features Jack’s very own drawings including the likes of Spitfires, Sea Harriers, Chinooks and the McLaren MCL35 - very impressive if you ask us! The SSAFA's Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum, International Bomber Command Centre and Lincolnshire's Lancaster Association will all receive a percentage of sales too. Amazing work young man - well done!
Faye Fantarrow awarded the Alan Hull Songwriting Award! The world may seem a crazy place at the moment, but tons of talent from Wearside continues to shine bright and that’s no different with our very own Faye Fantarrow! We’ve recently learned that this melodic songstress has just claimed the prestigious Alan Hull Award 2021! Announced by The Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, this
