Sailor-supporting nun gets freedom of Sunderland

A nun who set up a charity to support sailors has received Sunderland City Council's highest honour.

Sister Mary Scholastica, 85, has been given the Freedom of the City Award for her work for the Stella Maris Seafarers Centre in Sunderland Port.

Growing up in Ireland, Sister Mary moved to Wearside 60 years ago as part of the Sisters of Mercy, and made supporting sailors her "mission", providing them with home comforts when they dock in the city.

Businessman Paul Callaghan, who was instrumental in the development of Sunderland Fire Station venue, also got the award.

Sister Mary said it was the "greatest honour" of her life, adding: "God willing I will continue my work until I can't no more."

Sister Mary's work at the Port of Sunderland has received international recognition, with harbour-masters as far away as Canada reaching out to hear about her work.

Dubbed Sunderland's Angel of Mercy, her life has been documented in a book written by Joyce and Kevin Lillie and she also featured in the BBC documentary series Sea Cities in 2018.

Although in her 80s, Sister Mary shows no signs of slowing down but admits she will soon have to be fitted with a hearing aid.

"There are so many people I'd like to thank and this has been an opportunity to do so, I'm incredibly grateful to the people of Sunderland who have helped make this city my home," she said.

Mr Callaghan, who is chair of publishing company the Leighton Group also sits on the board of trustees for Sunderland Music Arts and Culture Trust.

City Councillor Henry Trueman, who backed the decision to give Callaghan the honour, said he was a "great man" with Sunderland at his heart.

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