Let’s reflect on those we’ve lost to Covid
Dame Judi joins a host of other stars and politicians to call for a Day of Reflection on March 23
CELEBRITIES and politicians are adding their support for a special day to remember those who have died in the pandemic.
The Daily Express and charity Marie Curie are inviting the nation to mark March 23 – the anniversary of the day the first lockdown started – by holding a Day of Reflection.
Events planned include a minute’s silence at noon and another pause at 8pm when people will shine a light from their doorsteps or in windows to create a beacon of remembrance.
Around 30 MPs and 30 celebrities including Dame Judi Dench and Stephen Fry are supporting the project, launched by the charity to help the nation process the traumatic events of the past year.
Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire, said: “As we finally start to see an end to the lockdown measures and hopefully a return to normality it is quite right that we remember all those including friends and family who have succumbed to this virus.
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“As we begin to enjoy our freedoms again we should remember those who sadly will not be with us to share it. Our thoughts and prayers should be with both them and their loved ones.”
Simon Fell, Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness, said: “Coronavirus has extracted a heavy toll and this National Day of Reflection gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we have lost, and also what our communities have gained over this incredibly difficult year.”
Yesterday marked the anniversary of the first coronavirus death in the UK.
More than 124,000 victims have since been added to the tragic virus toll. Hundreds of thousands more have died of other causes in that time.
The charity fears many people who have lost loved ones – whether to Covid or not – have been unable to grieve properly due to the lockdown.
Actor Greg Wise, whose sister Clare died of cancer in 2016, said a national day to reflect and celebrate the lives of those lost during the crisis “will help all of us heal”.
He said: “Grief never truly leaves us, but it is a comfort to me that I cared for Clare and held her hand at the end.
“I imagine it is excruciating to be in the position many families are in now, feeling very raw grief in such extraordinary times.
“Not getting to say their goodbye, having to stay away from a funeral. It’s devastating that coronavirus has put
a lightning bolt through rituals around death and bereavement.
“It’s vital people get all the support they need and I believe a collective acknowledgment of their grief and trauma would help.”
The day will also provide an opportunity to look ahead to a brighter future.
Paul Scully, Conservative MP for Sutton and Cheam and Minister for London, offered his support yesterday and said: “The last year has been incredibly tough for so many across the country and the world.
“We have lost loved ones, our mental health as well as physical has been tested and many remain in a state of uncertainty.
“Today we reflect on the sadness of the last year.
“But with the success of the vaccine rollout and continued support from government, wonderful organisations like Marie Curie and our communities, we can turn not just to reopening our society and our economic recovery, but how we can all pull together.”
Esther McVey, MP for Tatton, is supporting Marie Curie and also helping to lead other commemorative events on March 23.
She said of the chosen date: “It was the day everything changed. “It needs to be recognised as an annual day of national commemoration so we can come together to acknowledge those who passed, those who did so much, those who lost so much and look to the future as lockdown lifts.”
The former Cabinet minister is asking people to share a photograph of themselves making a heart shape with their hands on social media or online at the website www.23March.co.uk.
● To find out more visit: mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection
‘We can come together to acknowledge those who passed’