REMEMBER OUR LOST
CAMPAIGN TO LIGHT UP WALES FOR THE VICTIMS OF PANDEMIC
FAMILIES and friends who have had their lives ripped apart by the coronavirus have started a campaign to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic.
Volunteers are now hoping people will join them to ‘light up Wales’ on the 12-month anniversary of the beginning of the first UK-wide lockdown.
And residents in North Wales are being encouraged to take part in a moving day of remembrance in a number of different ways.
While the UK was in the grips of the first lockdown back in 2020, many of North Wales’ most famous castles and bridges were lit up in succession over a number of weeks as part of the ‘Clap for Carers’ initiative to acknowledge the hard work of the NHS.
And it looks like that’s set to happen again as iconic landmarks and buildings across Wales will be bathed in yellow lights on the evening of March 23 to remember those lost to
Covid-19. The moving display will be held in conjunction with the Marie Curie charity who will hold a ‘Day of Reflection’ on the same date. The colour yellow chosen for the light display has been picked to acknowledge the fact that it was spring time when the pandemic first reached our shores.
The ideas behind many of the remembrance activities are the brainchild of ‘covid19 Families’ – a network of Facebook groups set up to provide help and support to those who have lost families and friends to the virus. People are being encouraged to take part in a number of activities on March 23, which include:
● Drawing and placing a ‘yellow heart’ in the window which will see a way of getting children involved.
● Placing yellow fairy lights in windows
● Tying a yellow ribbon to a tree or fencing within your garden
● Checking in on someone you know who has lost a loved one during the pandemic (adhering to current Covid restrictions while doing so).
In-conjunction with the ‘light up,’ the Covid-19 families support groups will be hosting two minute silences on the day taking place at 12 noon and 8pm on, Tuesday March 23.
Founder and president of the campaign Deborah Lewis said: “The entire covid19 Families network is not only created to support the bereaved but is run by the bereaved.
“After losing my own father to coronavirus in April of last year with the feeling that I had nobody to turn to for support or communication I started raising awareness and reaching out to people that may have suffered the same.
“With over 3,500 members in 37 groups, we have been able to connect people within the same communities with each other ensuring nobody goes left forgotten after losing a loved one.”
Deborah and her team are working tirelessly to raise the funds to register the organisation as a national charity and says that any support that the general public can give to help achieve that aim would be most gratefully received.
Marie Curie Chief Executive Matthew Reed said: “We need to mark the huge amount of loss we’ve seen this year and show support for everyone who has been bereaved in the most challenging of circumstances – be that from Covid or any other cause.
“We’ve had a huge response from individuals, organisations, businesses, schools and groups from across the UK wanting to support the day – testament to how much people need and want to come together.
“We cannot simply stand by and not recognise the effects the pandemic has had on the bereaved. We know people are in shock, confused, upset, angry and unable to process what has happened.
“We invite everyone to join together on the 23rd March to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of everyone that has died during these challenging times – from Covid and other causes.”