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Wearside stories you might have missed

Love, Amelia His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear Lucy Winskell, in a dark blue uniform and hat, presenting the award certificate to Love, Amelia CEO Steph Capewell, in a short-sleeved black and white striped dress. Lucy Winskell has short brown hair and Steph Capewell has wavy brown hair, which reaches past her shoulders. They are smiling as they stand in front of a purple balloon arch. Sunderland mayor councillor Allison Chisnall is also smiling next to them, in a pink jacket and white shirt with red and yellow print. She has blonde straight hair, which is slicked back. Love, Amelia
The Love, Amelia charity getting an award made the headlines this week

A prison unit emptied, bus fare changes and a little boy's dream coming true are just some of the things to have made the news this week.

Here are some Wearside stories you might have missed from the past seven days.

Prison unit emptied after Manchester bomber attack

Greater Manchester Police Hashem Abedi. A man with short dark hair, a thin moustache and goatee who is wearing glasses Greater Manchester Police
Hashem Abedi left prison officers at HMP Frankland in hospital with serious injuries following an attack on Saturday

Last week the news broke about counter-terrorism police investigating an attack on three prison officers by Hashem Abedi, one of the men responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing.

Three officers were taken to hospital after the attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham, with the Prison Officers' Association (POA) saying the life-threatening injuries included burns and stab wounds.

Earlier this week, in an update, the BBC was told all prisoners held in the terrorism prison unit had been moved.

There were seven prisoners in the HMP Frankland separation centre at the time of Abedi's attack, including the extremist preacher Anjem Choudary.

Deer found beheaded in cemetery

Google The black entrance gates of Mere Knolls Cemetery in Sunderland. It leads to a wide path, surrounded by two houses on the left and grassland and trees on the right. A brick wall extends from the gates and wildflowers are growing on a patch of grass outside the entrance.Google
The animal was found in Sunderland's Mere Knolls cemetery on Tuesday

The body of a decapitated deer was discovered lying in Mere Knolls Cemetery in Sunderland.

Northumbria Police said the discovery of the animal, which appeared to have sustained injuries, was made last week.

Sunderland City Council said it had removed "the head and skin of an apparently butchered deer".

Bus passengers face fare increase on Easter Sunday

Stagecoach An empty blue, white and orange bus next to a bus stop. Its reflection can also be seen in the windows of another bus parked next to it, only part of which is in shot. Stagecoach
Stagecoach said the increase was due to cost pressures

Stagecoach is set to increase some of its fares from Easter Sunday because of rising costs.

Weekly fares are going up by between £1.50 and £2.00 in Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside, though single fares and ticket prices for passengers under 21 will remain the same.

North East Public Transport Users Group (NEPTUG) said it was disappointed and warned any increase might deter passengers from travelling.

Some passengers told the BBC they were likely to be "hugely" affected by the increase, but others said bus travel remained good value despite the rise.

Aspiring football reporter meets BBC commentator

An older man sits on a orange couch smiling. A boy stands next to him smiling and doing a thumbs up.
Ben Cullen dreams of becoming a sports journalist

There was also the heart-warming story of a 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a sports journalist, who had a chance to meet the BBC's Sunderland commentator.

Ben Cullen, from Wynyard in County Durham, hopes to start a YouTube channel to interview supporters after Sunderland matches.

His football coach got in touch with BBC Newcastle for the aspiring commentator to chat to Nick Barnes.

Baby bank volunteer boost after King's Award

Love, Amelia A man in uniform and white gloves is holding is holding a glass double-walled plaque with an image of the crown and writing The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2024. Love, Amelia
The Love, Amelia team officially received the award last week

A Sunderland children's charity which has seen volunteers more than double in a year has been formally presented with the UK's highest voluntary award.

Love, Amelia officially received the King's Award for Voluntary Service for its work across the city and County Durham.

Steph Capewell, who founded the charity in memory of her daughter, said the award was "such an honour".

The charity was founded in 2019 in memory of Ms Capewell's daughter Amelia who died in January 2018, just 12 minutes after she was born.

It offers support to families experiencing hardship and poverty, giving donated items to those in need.

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