I am a proud resident of Sunderland, UK, and like many others in our community, I deeply value our city's rich history and identity. A significant symbol of this identity is our ship badge - a mark that has been with us for decades. However, recently we have seen an unfortunate shift away from this emblem by the local hierarchy.

Sunderland has a long-standing maritime history dating back to the 14th century when it was granted a charter allowing it to hold a market and annual fair. The ship badge is not just an emblem; it represents hundreds of years of tradition and pride in our maritime heritage.

In recent times, there has been an increasing trend towards modernization at the expense of tradition. While progress is important, it should not come at the cost of erasing symbols that are integral parts of our cultural identity.

The current badge is associated with many years of failure. Removal of the ship badge disconnects us from our roots and dilutes what makes Sunderland unique among other cities in UK.

We urge those in power to consider these sentiments shared by many residents who believe that preserving local heritage should be prioritized alongside development efforts. We request them to reinstate the ship badge across all platforms where it was previously displayed as part of their commitment towards honouring Sunderland's past while shaping its future.

Please support this cause by signing this petition today! Let us bring back our beloved ship badge and continue celebrating what truly makes the city special.