Covid-19 memorial garden for Londoners

A garden to remember Londoners who have died with Covid-19 during the pandemic was opened today by London Manyor Sadiq Khan.

The London Blosson Garden, is based in Stratford at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is the second coronavirus memorial in the city after the Covid Memorial Wall near Westminster.

The garden aims to act as a 'living memorial' to those who have lost their lives and within the garden there are 33 blossom trees to represent the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London.

As Mr Khan opened the park today, he also announced the launch of a bereavement support programme that will direct Londoners to advice and support and that will begin with a public awareness campaign.

Sadiq Khan said:

“This new public garden is a lasting living memorial in recognition of the impact that Covid has had, and continues to have, on our city. It is a place to join together to remember the more than 19,000 Londoners who have tragically died, to reflect on our own experiences of the pandemic, to highlight how this virus has disproportionately impacted many of our communities, and to pay tribute to the ongoing efforts of our key workers.

“It continues to be an incredibly difficult time for Londoners as we battle the virus, and I want all those who have experienced loss to know that there is support available to them. Nothing will make losing someone you love any easier, but we want Londoners to know they are not alone. We are here for you, as a city.”

There is also currently a campaign to have a permanent memorial to Covid-19 victims inside St Paul’s Cathedral, while the London Assembly unanimously voted earlier this year in favour of supporting an emergency services cenotaph in London to pay tribute to NHS and emergency service workers.