Sister Mary: Nun on a mission in Sunderland

Sister Mary Scholastica opens her mission in Sunderland whenever a ship docks in the city.

She greets seamen from around the world with gifts and helps them to keep in touch with their families.

Sea Cities Sunderland is broadcast on Thursday, 15 February at 20:00 on BBC Two and on the iPlayer for 30 days thereafter.

15 February 2018

Fans react after Sunderland sack Tony Mowbray

SAFC fans have spoken of their shock after the Black Cats manager was let go by the club.

Tyne & Wear

Home in Washington covered in hundreds of Christmas lights

'It takes me about three weeks to set it all up'

A family from Washington covers their home in hundreds of Christmas lights for children's charity.

Tyne & Wear

Tomara Thomas, Michael Marouli and Ginger Johnson of season five of Drag Race UK

'The UK will realise how great North East drag is'

The region's drag scene celebrates the success of three North East queens making the finale of Drag Race.

Tyne & Wear

Nine-year-old uses pocket money to keep homeless warm

Zeki gives away parcels of hats and gloves to get ready for the forthcoming freezing conditions.

Tyne & Wear

'It shows you they trust this city'

We ask people their views on Nissan's announcement over three EV models at the Sunderland factory.

Tyne & Wear

Ballet Lorent creative knitting group alongside their created props and costumes

Knitting group creates props and costumes for show

The North East knitters created the items for ballet Lorent's The Velveteen Rabbit production.

Tyne & Wear

'Barbie helps me feel comfortable in myself'

For the first time in 20 years, Lee Eley opens up about his secret collection of Barbie memorabilia.

Tyne & Wear

'Not lost' cat visits supermarket car park every day

Benji's owner Rachel Doran said people were ringing her "20-30 times a day" thinking he was missing.

Tyne & Wear

On board the double-decker food bus

"We realised that there's a lot of people out there that also need help, that aren't in abject poverty."

Tyne & Wear

Meet the woman converting a hearse into a campervan

Meet Maggie... the Halloween lover converting a hearse into a campervan for one.

Tyne & Wear

Commentator reaches 1,000th football match

BBC Newcastle's Nick Barnes will reach a milestone when he commentates on his 1,000th football game.

Tyne & Wear

Demi Stokes speaking to pupils at Dame Dorothy School

Lioness Demi Stokes meets Sunderland pupils

The footballer returned to school to speak to students as part of Children in Need 2023.

Tyne & Wear

Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian's Wall, before it was felled

Watch: Sycamore Gap tree cut up and removed

A crane was brought in to take the trunk, which had to be cut into pieces as it weighed 3-4 tonnes.

Tyne & Wear

a stray kitten who has been adopted meets its new owner

Volunteers rescuing and rehoming stray cats

Jen Robinson has located 33 cats and kittens with her team, all within one garden area.

Tyne & Wear

Young farmer in running for prestigious award

Luke Conway, 24, runs Kinley Hill Farm in a partnership with his aunt and uncle.

Tyne & Wear

Thousands of oysters released on North Sea reef

Conservationists create a reef for wild oysters to help increase marine biodiversity.

Tyne & Wear

'People just can't afford guinea pigs any more'

North Shields guinea pig rescue centre warns more people are giving up their pets than it can rehome.

Tyne & Wear

Joe Avary, second mate on the Shields Ferry Crew

Cayman Islands weatherman gets new job on Tyne ferry

Joe Avary was a US broadcaster, a weatherman in the Cayman Islands and worked on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Tyne & Wear

Dame Joan on how performing at 90 'isn't gruelling'

We chat to Dame Joan Collins ahead of her UK tour of her one woman show - Behind The Shoulder Pads.

Tyne & Wear

Newcastle United fans take over Milan

Fans descend on the city ahead of the Magpies' first Champions League appearance for 20 years.

Tyne & Wear