I was honoured to be asked to read the poignant World War One poem The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke, at a Remembrance Service hosted by Southmoor School this week.

This poem is particularly reflective of the individual sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and, as students and teachers joined for the service, so we remembered all those who were lost.

This Sunday, as thousands gather to remember Sunderland’s fallen war heroes at the war memorial in Burdon Road, I will also be wearing my poppy with pride.