Cambridgeshire lives lost during Covid pandemic to be remembered
The Day of Reflection will see communities come together across the country
Last updated 4th Mar 2024
The lives lost to the pandemic in Cambridgeshire will be remembered today as communities come together on the Covid Day of Reflection.
It's led by Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity which supports those suffering from a terminal illness and their loved ones.
Executive Director for Research and Policy at Marie Curie, Sam Royston, based in the East told us about the importance of the Day of Reflection.
He said: "As we know the COVID-19 pandemic was a tragedy that touched the lives of every person across the UK, and for those who faced bereavement through the pandemic, the impact was profound and likely to be lifelong."
"An opportunity for reflection and remembrance is a really important way of providing that collective sense of community to support people who have been bereaved."
"Remembering somebody's death is also remembering their life"
The main aim for all events taking place across the country is to bring communities together and to help those who grieve their loss.
Mr Royston said: "Of course for many people who lost loved ones, the deaths of people who were close to them will stay with them for the rest of their lives."
"Remembering's somebody's death is also remembering their life."
"It's vital we remind ourselves about the people who stepped up"
One of those who died due to Covid is Cottenham firefighter Danny Granger, with thousands of pounds raised in his memory.
Councillor Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:
"That's the positive I'd like to take that when things get tough, you can rely on very ordinary people to do very extraordinary things," she said.
Nearly all British children experience a bereavement by the age of sixteen and an estimated 16,100 children experienced the death of a parent from COVID-19 associated causes between March 2020 and February 2023.
In addition to adults experiencing losses, over 16,000 children experienced bereavement a parent caused by or COVID-19 o associated causes between March 2020 and February 2023.
Marie Curie is raising awareness of grief amongst children, and is hoping for schools in England to include grief education more commonly in their curricula.