The win at the Portfolio Awards has capped of an amazing year, from being unhappy in a minority partnership, to setting up two businesses and winning entrepreneur of the year just reiterates my theory of if you really want something and remove the barriers, anything is possible

David Lynch

We’d like to thank Wood Holmes and David Spencer for enjoying the evening with us.

The website includes a City Guide (using integrated Google Maps), downloads for PC’s and Mac’s, latest news, mini games and an iPhone application. We also developed a set of lovely graphics and icons which can be seen via the Welcome to Sunderland Flickr page.

Visit the Welcome to Sunderland website at www.welcometosunderland.co.uk.

Ang did the run in 2 hours and 22 minutes and Graeme finished in 2 hours and 12 minutes. Graeme takes this years bragging rites but the competition has already started for next year! Congrats to the both of you and well done for raising money for your charities of choice.

Original Story:

With the Great North Run fast approaching, Rufus’s very own Ang McChin (numbers whizz) and Graeme 1 (code geek) have been digging deep and preparing for the world famous half marathon. Ang and Graeme are both carrying knee injuries but have declared war on each other for ‘the bestest fast runner ever at Rufus’.

He ain’t better than me. I once won the egg and spoon race at school.

Ang

She’s under prepared and she has beedy eyes.

Graeme 1

We wait to see who in fact wins their personal battle but rest assured two charities will benefit from this duel. Ang is running for The Blue Cross Animal Welfare Charity and Graeme running for Metro Radio’s Cash For Kids.

If you would like to donate to these very hard working charities, then please see below:

Anyway, Paul came back with some stunning images and we have uploaded them onto flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rufusshmufus if you would like to see if you can spot your house or who’s car is on your drive!!!

It really was a fantastic event organised by Sunderland City Council. The event attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators to Sunderland’s stunning coastline which is now the biggest free airshow in Europe. A big ‘Thank You’ goes to the council for kindly supplying two tables and inviting Rufus and family members to attend Sunday’s show.

On 26th June, Sunderland University held their annual Graduate Degree Show at the university’s design centre galleries. This year, Rufus were asked to produce over 100 format display panels which featured students’ projects. The standard of work was exceptional and is already receiving national acclaim from events like New Blood and D&AD.

Of course, our two most infamous socialites Gareth and Graeme attended and helped themselves to nibbles and drinks whilst mingling with staff, students and friends. Gareth was especially happy to see a lot of the students he taught (being an academic tutor at the university) and wowed by the amount receiving first class honours. It was all down to him of course! (or so he tells us, ha-ha). A great night was had by all and thanks to Rob Burton for all of those drinks vouchers! So a very well done to all the students, and here’s to the class of ‘09.

We were asked by Sunderland AFC and Sunderland City Council to produce a brand for the campaign, ranging from the logo design, website design, pop up stands, pull up displays, stationery, t-shirts, flags, banners and other materials, in order for Sunderland to have a solid base for the bid to be launched.

A successful bid would mean qualifying matches during the World Cup finals would be played at the Stadium of Light. However, Sunderland is keen to embrace the whole of North East England in its proposal, ensuring that as many places and people as possible across the region benefit from playing a part in the biggest sporting event in the world.

By logging on to www.sunderland2018bid.com and selecting ‘Sunderland’ as preferred host city, members of the public can show The FA that they want Sunderland to host matches in the World Cup in 2018. A ‘Back the Bid’ book will also be available to be signed in key locations around Sunderland, including the City Library, Civic Centre and the Stadium of Light.

Promotional activities will be taking place across the city in the coming months to support the bid, kicking off with school pupils in Sunderland submitting letters and pictures to show The FA what hosting World Cup matches would mean to them.

While strong public support alone won’t secure Sunderland’s host city status, it will be taken into consideration by The FA. In addition, successful host cities need to be able to satisfy an extensive range of requirements set by FIFA and the FA, including:

• A stadium which can hold a minimum of 40,000 people
• Hotel accommodation for teams, officials and fans in the region
• Fan parks for supporters
• Good travel links with the rest of the country
• Training facilities and potential base camps for national teams

An outline bid for Host City status must be submitted by July 8 and FA officials will visit the city on July 14. The final bid must be submitted to The FA by November 6, 2009. In total fifteen cities are competing to be host cities for England’s World Cup 2018 bid.

So come on, let’s show the country how proud we are of our city and log your votes at www.sunderland2018bid.com.

Ha ‘way the Lads!

It was a networking event for anyone working in the creative, digital or media industries and consisted of free drinks and a range of Indian cuisines. There was also live music, retro games machines and a beer tasting competition. The lads had a great night, even though they nearly fell out over a game of connect 4!

There was a great atmosphere, loads of free drinks on arrival, a beer tasting competition and Connect Four… what more can you ask for!?

- Ninja Graeme

We have recently completed the re-branding for Dandy Events, who are the north’s leading event decoration specialists.

They have over 20 years of experience in planning, designing and coordinating the finest weddings and events in the North East of England and throughout the UK.

The event was held at the Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park on Friday 22nd May and was sponsored by Nu-Age Medical Spa.

All proceeds were donated to Charlie Bear 30/60 Appeal.

Smashing Magazine informs other web designers and developers of the most up to date trends and techniques.

The desktop design was created by our Graeme (8ft Ninja) Metcalf. It’s a vibrant illustration of the Quayside at Sunderland, showing tags of where we live, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, the Wearmouth Bridge and the University of Sunderland.

To view it and review it on the Smashing Magazine website, click the link: Smashing Magazine – June 2009 Desktops.

It appears about half way down the page and is titled ‘Sunderland Quayside’.

or just download it direct from our Free Stuff section.