Wearside Echoes

'We've laughed, we've cried and we have learned lots about the wonderful Wearside past in two series of our awards-nominated podcast this year. Let's have a look back at the best moments in the first of a two-part tribute to our star guests'.

Gemma Lowery's son Bradley Lowery faced a fight with childhood cancer in the public spotlight. Now, 8 years after his passing, Gemma has spoken about her son's legacy, the heartache of losing her little boy and his famous friendship with Jermain Defoe.Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Mobility Care Solution and with music by  https://www.purple-planet.com/

She's known as the Powerhouse of Prayer, and as one of Sunderland's finest ambassadors.But life started so differently for Sister Mary Scholastica on her family's farm overlooking a lake near the Burren Mountains in Galway, Ireland.Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Mobility Care Solution and with music by  https://www.purple-planet.com/

Life could hardly have taken a more dramatic twist for Sunderland lad Richard Geere. He used to be an accompanist for a well known local dance troupe. Now he's entertaining audiences in Los Angeles where he works for Disney.

How many people can say they've worked with Oasis, Prince, David Bowie and the Spice Girls? Sunderland-born Chris Cowey can. He did it when he transformed the fortunes of Top of the Pops. He tells us how he did it as well as his memories of Sunderland nightclubs and a childhood spent in Ryhope.

She was just 12 years old when her life changed forever. Kayleigh Llewellyn was a football-loving youngster who had just finished a training session. Days later, she was on a hospital ward waiting for a new heart. Six years on, she explains why she is determined to make a difference in the world.

Welcome to Wearside Echoes from Sunderland Echo, the podcast all about Sunderland and its wonderful past. We're back for another series with more interviews with the great and good of Sunderland.Terry Wall is a Sunderland Football Club super fan - a YouTuber who makes fantastic videos as he follows SAFC. We wanted to know more about what inspires him to be a vlogger.Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Mobility Care Solution and with music by  https://www.purple-planet.com/

Welcome to Wearside Echoes from Sunderland Echo, the podcast all about Sunderland and its wonderful past.He's a wizard with a camera, been a top-notch nightclub doorman, and even worked on a milk round when he was 14.That's Bob Usher, the Sunderland man who also has other strings to his bow. He met his future wife when she reckoned he was the spitting image of a famous footballer!Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Mobility Care Solution and with music by  https://www.purple-planet.com/

Welcome to Wearside Echoes from Sunderland Echo, the podcast all about Sunderland and its wonderful past.Elsie Ronald gets our vote as the most switched on 91 year old in Sunderland.She lived through air raids and rationing, became a University fellow when she was 90 and still gives public talks. AND she still has one big aim in her life.Over to Elsie to tell us more.Wearside Echoes brought to you with the support of Mobility Care Solution and with music by  https://www.purple-planet.com/