The Sun has welcomed 15 new trainee journalists. From an ex-carpenter to a Madame Tussauds clerk, the trainees are the first intake from a rolling programme which aims to find budding journalists from all walks of life.

Ten of the trainees have already completed an NCTJ course, while five will get their qualification in the next year.

Ten with NCTJ qualifications will spend the next three months getting to know the newsroom at news agencies around the UK, before joining The Sun, and the five trainees without NCTJ qualification will study part-time with News Associates, while working part-time for The Sun.

We asked them to write about each other:

CAT GRAFFIUS

Catriona, 26, was born in Scotland and grew up in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. 

The Oxbridge graduate says her passion for journalism stemmed from her love of stories and wanting to know about other people’s experiences.

She has completed her NCTJ qualification, and hopes to inspire change through her journalism. 

KEVIN ADJEI-DARKO

Kevin Adjei-Darko, 28,  was born in Ghana and moved to the UK at the age of ten.

He moved back to Ghana years later to work for a production company. His desire to become a journalist, which he feels is his calling, led him back to Britain.

He hopes to break down barriers so people who come from similar backgrounds can believe they can make it in journalism too.

He hopes his career at The Sun will help him achieve one of his dreams to build a school in Ghana for children who are underprivileged and cannot afford education.

SARAH GREALISH

Sarah Grealish, 24, has had an affinity for the radio since being gifted a Bratz convertible car with ‘voices’. 

After launching the National University of Ireland Galway’s first sports-focused radio show, she caught the writing bug and now has her eyes on a new basket. 

She said: “I like news, I like murder, I like really grim stuff.” 

But her interests aren’t limited to law – a taste of video and features are what she’s hoping to gain from her placement with The Irish Sun.

JUSTIN LAWRENCE

Justin Lawrence’s journey to journalism was not straightforward.

Now aged 28, he enjoyed writing as a child, but was advised by his Jamaican father to learn a trade. Growing up in a community which did not encourage boys to express emotion, Justin always found comfort in his pen and paper. 

After stints in carpentry and interior design, Justin has finally realised his ambition when he was accepted on The Sun’s scheme. 

On his desire to motivate, he said: “I want to be a positive beacon in a not so positive world, inspiring with my words and work.”

DOROTHY HOWBROOK

Dorothy Howbrook, 22, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, She recently graduated from Liverpool University with a French and Hispanic Studies degree.

She helped the Sun Travel and Fashion teams at The Sun last year, working closely with Travel Editor, Lisa Minot.

Dorothy has moved to London for the traineeship, and wants to show that northerners can succeed in a London-based newspaper industry.

JULIA ATHERLEY

Julia, 22, grew up in Ripon, North Yorkshire. She attended Ripon Grammar School and studied English Literature at Durham University, where she became editor of its student paper, Palatinate. 

“Editing the student paper was the pinnacle point where I could not imagine doing anything else,” she explained.

Before joining The Sun, Julia shifted at Euro News, the Evening Standard and The Times.

CHRIS BRADFORD

Chris Bradford, 22, is from Oldham, and studied politics and history at Liverpool University. The NCTJ qualified aspiring journalist published his first football review when he was just ten years old. 

His passion for sport and writing soon transformed to a zeal for politics which never left him. 

Twenty-two weeks after graduating with an NCTJ qualification, he finds himself at The Sun. 

“If you told me I’d be at a national 20 weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said.

Chris hopes to pursue his political dream of holding people in power to account.

STELLA AKINWUMI

Stella Akinwumi, 23, worked at Madame Tussauds while she studied journalism at the University of Westminster.

After graduating in 2018, she was a production assistant at Capital FM and Fubar Radio. 

Now beginning her career at The Sun, she is excited about learning more about showbiz journalism. 

She said: “From a very young age I wanted to be in the entertainment industry. I would love to be a correspondent at the BAFTAs, the Grammys or at an album launch.”

ED SOUTHGATE

Ed Southgate, 22 from Horsham graduated from the University of Bristol with an English degree. 

He began his journalism career at Bristol, where he wrote for the uni paper. “I’m nosey, so journalism is the perfect career for me,” he said.

Ed will head back to Bristol for a placement at SWNS news agency before returning to The Sun in June.

ALICE FULLER

Brighton-born Alice, 25, graduated from the University of Newcastle with a degree in Psychology.

A self-confessed “shorthand nerd”, she has taken the 120 words-per-minute exam, having already passed at 110wpm.

Alice hopes this will help her to move into the world of hard news and crime reporting.

The psychology graduate – who has already had experience with City AM, South London Press and BBC Radio 1 – says she will “absorb everything and learn from everyone,” with the dream that her name will soon be on the front page of the UK’s best-selling newspaper.

KIRO EVANS

Kiro Evans, 21, studied English and journalism at the University of Kent before embarking on his NCTJ qualification at Press Association, and wants nothing more than to get people talking. 

He grew up in the shadow of West Ham’s stadium and is now a big football fan. 

As a football fanatic, he always saw himself as a sports reporter but he’s newly obsessed with crime and technology.

He said: “I have done so much training I just can’t wait to get out there and do it.”

SARA HUSSAIN

Sara Hussain, 23,  is a Criminology graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University. 

She decided journalism was the career for her after her inquisitive mind, adaptability and curiosity for asking questions grew when she was travelling around Asia.

Applying for The Sun’s diversity scheme was the perfect opportunity to put her love for storytelling into practice. 

Originally from Pakistan and fluent in three languages, Sara said: “If I am optimistic, I would really like to be an editor in five years time.”

SOPHIE DONOVAN

She spent a year solo-travelling around the southern hemisphere in search of the unknown.

And while a geography degree continued to satisfy this craving, Surrey-born Sophie Donovan, 23, wants her career to involve more of the same.

Having been obsessed with the power of print since she was a child, her dad thought she'd become an author.

But journalism was the only suitable option: "Who doesn't want to be paid to gossip!"

SHAN ALLY

Shan Ally, 25, is going from contracts law to journalism with a determination for writing. After completing a Law Degree at the University of Surrey and working in the medical sector Shan wanted to do nothing more than to educate people through writing.

She has a genuine interest in learning about people and hopes to give inspirational people a platform while covering the biggest showbiz stories.

The Latin ballroom dancer also excels at squash and marathon running.

She said: "I am excited and thrilled to get out there and bring back some of the best stories for our readers, I am hoping I can bring a fresh perspective brimming with new ideas."

FRANKIE CHRISTOU

Frankie Christou, 22, from East London is mad about two things: watching and writing about sport.

At his new job, he looks forward to doing both and adding to the in-depth coverage of every sport under the Sun.

He believes that the strife of being a diehard Millwall fan has helped him prepare for the tougher challenges, and hopes to become a key player at Sun Sport.