In loving memory of Sharyn Smiles Sunderland Area Support

We’re coming together to honour the memory of our dear friend Sharyn, who passed away unexpectedly. Sharyn was the beating heart of Sunderland Area Parents Support (SAPS), a place where she gave her warmth, humour, and endless love to everyone who walked through the door.

Sharyn believed in community. She believed in second chances. And she believed that no one should ever feel alone.

Aside from her two boys and her family, Sharyn’s passion was SAPS. Supporting people in our community was everything to her. She saw the struggles so many families face every day — especially now, with people going hungry and the cost of living crisis leaving many feeling hopeless and forgotten. She made it her mission to offer a listening ear, a helping hand, and her infectious laugh when times were tough.

She would go out of her way to make everyone feel heard and special. No matter who you were or what you were going through, Sharyn made you feel like you mattered. She was a true pillar of the community — someone who would go to the ends of the earth to help others. Her kindness wasn’t selective, and her support wasn’t conditional. She helped because that’s who she was, through and through.

To keep her legacy alive, we’re raising funds to support SAPS – a vital lifeline for local families in Sunderland. At a time when so many are hungry and the cost of living is rising beyond what anyone could have imagined, your donations will help keep that spirit of community and compassion alive.

This is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a way to say thank you to Sharyn for everything she gave us – and to carry her spirit forward in a place that meant the world to her.

If you can donate, please do. If you can’t, please share this with others who knew and loved her.

Let’s keep Sharyn’s light burning bright.