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Wearside stories you may have missed this week

PA Media Group of Sunderland fans celebrating a goal. The man in the middle, wearing a Sunderland strip has both arms raised. Those around him - also in Sunderland colours - are shouting or cheering.PA Media
Tens of thousands travelled to Wembley to watch the Sunderland win promotion to the Premier League

A family's bid to have organ donation taught to schoolchildren, the "end of an era" with the planned demolition of a student nightclub and Sunderland fans' elation at their Premier League return.

Here are five stories from Wearside you may have missed this week.

'Every giggle is thanks to her donor family'

Terry, wearing a yellow hoodie, cuddling his daughter Beatrix who is wearing a pink fluffy coat and has a feeding tube held in place in her nose by white surgical tape. Both are smiling.
Beatrix had a heart transplant in June 2023 after a 14-month wait

The family of a girl who had a life-saving heart transplant are calling for organ donation to be taught to schoolchildren in a bid to raise awareness and increase consent rates.

Now four, Beatrix, from Burnopfield, County Durham, spent more than a year in Newcastle's Freeman Hospital on a waiting list.

Her parents Terry and Cheryl believe having lessons focused on the issue would lead to more youngsters discussing it with their families.

  • Read about Terry and Cheryl's initiative here

Pride flag removed by newly led Reform UK council

Ellie Hopgood standing in front of a bush holding a colourful flag with the words "everyone is welcome here". She is wearing vivid pink trousers, glasses and is smiling widely.
Liberal Democrat councillor Ellie Hopgood said removing the flag was "mean-spirited"

A council now under the control of Reform UK has taken down an LGBTQ+ Pride flag at its headquarters.

The move was made on the first day the party officially assumed control of Durham County Council. A Ukrainian flag has also been removed.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ellie Hopgood condemned the decision and said it was a "disrespectful, mean-spirited act" ahead of Saturday's Pride in Armed Forces event in Durham.

The council's deputy leader Darren Grimes, who is gay, defended the decision and said the party was not anti-gay but was "anti-tokenism".

  • Read more about Reform UK's decision here

Uni nightclub demolition would be 'end of an era'

University of Sunderland A huge crowd of students in Halloween costumes dancing. Spider web decorations and pumpkins are hanging from the ceiling.University of Sunderland
A Halloween party at Manor Quay in the late 90s

The planned demolition of a former university nightclub has been called the "end of an era" by former students who partied there in years gone by.

Sunderland University has lodged proposals to flatten North Shore, near its St Peter's Campus, with no plans for a replacement.

Previously known as Manor Quay and Campus, the building has hosted major acts including Arctic Monkeys, JLS, Coolio and Ne-Yo, but has not been used since 2016.

  • Read reaction to the club's closure here

Sunderland fans' elation at Premier League return

Sunderland fans at a fan zone. Two women and a man - wearing Sunderland colours - are shouting in celebration. Behind them are the backs of fans facing a giant screen. Most have hands raised and many are holding mobile phones aloft.
Sunderland's fan zone erupted when the final whistle blew

Sunderland fans have spoken of their elation at winning promotion to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United with a last-minute goal in the Championship play-off final.

The 2-1 result means the Black Cats are promoted back to the top flight after eight years away.

More than 35,000 Black Cats fans descended on Wembley Stadium for the play-off final, with others watching from a fan zone in Sunderland city centre.

  • Read more about the match and the win here

Dad says 'no pathway' for women's North East rugby

Stephen Portlock (L-R) Gen, Stephen and Alyson Portlock stood outside a brick office building. Gen wears large square glasses and a pink jumper, Stephen wears a blue t-shirt and Alyson wears a black and white striped top. Stephen Portlock
Stephen said his daughter Gen moved down south because of better rugby opportunities

A father has called for more investment in women's rugby clubs in the North East after his daughter chose to move south to seek better opportunities.

Stephen Portlock said there was "no pathway" for young women in rugby, meaning his daughter Gen left their home in County Durham to chose a southern university.

It comes after North East Women's XV club chief said women's rugby in north-east England was at risk of losing its best players due to a "lack of opportunities and sponsorship".

  • Read more about why Mr Portlock is urging investment in rugby here

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