Sunderland comes together as 'one big Mackem family' at Unity in the Community event
People from varying faiths, backgrounds and communities joined one another in Sunderland city centre on Saturday for Unity in the Community
by Iain Buist, Sam Volpe · ChronicleLivePeople from across Sunderland came together on an autumnal Saturday to celebrate the city and show that hate will not win.
The Unity in the Community event in the city centre saw community groups come together at Sunderland Minster for a day of family-friendly fun organised in response to the riots that marred Sunderland, like other towns and cities around the UK, in August. The idea was that the free family event celebrated the best of the city.
It ran between 11 and 2 and saw everything from children's activities and football skills to drumming workshops. The mayor of Sunderland, Coun Allison Chisnall was also present - as were the team from the Foundation of Light.
The event came about after community groups from across Sunderland came together in response to the violence and rioting seen on August 2. There were food stalls and a vibrant atmosphere as people of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed a free day out in the city centre.
Ahead of the event, Rev Chris Howson, from Sunderland Minster, who is also the university chaplain, said: "The people united will never be defeated. [It has been] so encouraging to see the community responding to the mindless riots of August 2. There are so many good folk in the city of Sunderland."
And Godwin Ejeh, President of the city's Nigerian Community, shared the sentiment. He said: "The events of past weeks have affected lots of people from our community, but time has also helped with the heal. I believe the project will go a long way to further unite us all as one big Mackem family."
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