For decades, they have put themselves out to support worthy causes and done it in some wonderful ways – from wearing loud ties to cycling from Penshaw to Roker dressed as a pirate.
Here is just a small selection of photos of brilliant fundraisers from the Sunderland Echo archives. Are you pictured? Are you planning a fundraising event with a difference? We want to hear from you.
In the meantime, enjoy our retro photo selection.
1. Getting loud in 2006
Keith Irving and Michael Lowe backed Loud Tie Week in 2006 but it was all in a good cause as they were backing the fight against cancer. Photo: DA
2. You arrrgh brilliant at fundraising
Back to 2010 where Catherine Smith was pictured at the end of her Penshaw to Roker charity bike ride dressed as a pirate. Who can tell us more? Photo: se
3. Owzat for a great event
A charity cricket match between Go North East drivers and the Royal Artillery in aid of Help for Heroes. Pictured l-r are Alex Bonallie steward of The Gunners Club, Mary Street, Sunderland and drivers Stuart Nelson and Eddie Vietch. Were you there for the 2010 match? Photo: KB
4. Samson scales the wall
Sunderland Football Club mascot Samson celebrated winning the league with a charity abseil from the roof of the Stadium of Light in 2005 in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust. Photo: KB