On Sunday 16 November, our Mam, Angela Callaghan, unexpectedly passed away while on holiday with her family in Rome. Our Mam lived most of her life in London and Essex but she was a Mackem to her core. No matter where she was in the world, she was proud to be from Sunderland. She carried that pride with her every day of her life.

Our Mam grew up in Sunderland in the sixties and life was not easy for her, her parents or her sisters. Money was tight. Heating was a luxury. Food was never guaranteed. She knew what it was like to grow up with very little and she never forgot those experiences.

That is why she was always the first to give. Whether it was toys, Easter eggs, food or shopping for baby banks and community collections, she never turned away from someone who needed help. Our Mam understood what hardship felt like and she did everything she could to make sure other children did not feel the same way.

As a family, we want to honour her by supporting something she cared about more than anything else. Children. Young people. Families who just need a bit of support and compassion.

So in our Mam’s name, we are asking people to donate to Love, Amelia, a Sunderland based charity she would have absolutely loved.

Love, Amelia supports babies, children and families across Tyne and Wear and County Durham who are living in poverty or facing real hardship. They give new and excellent quality pre loved items to children from birth up to the age of sixteen. Their mission is simple. Every child deserves to be happy, safe and able to thrive.

The charity was founded in memory of baby Amelia Capewell, who was born at Sunderland Hospital in January 2018 and passed away shortly afterwards. Her parents created Love, Amelia so that other children could receive the support they need in their daughter’s name.

If you knew our Mam, or even if you did not but her story has touched you, we would be incredibly grateful if you could consider donating.

Your generosity will help children in the region she loved and it will honour our Mam in the most fitting way possible. By helping others.

Thank you.

Graham, Kerry-Anne, Nicola and Gavin xxx