Milton Keynes Covid-19 memorial a time to 'reflect and speak'

A choir performed at the event, which also had speeches and gave people time to "reflect" Deborah Lewis said

A memorial service has taken place to remember lives lost and families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service was organised by Covid-19 Families UK, and held at the Church of the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes on Sunday.

The charity's founder, Deborah Lewis, said she hoped it would help "future generations learn from the pandemic".

She said it would help people "reflect and speak about their own worries about death dying and grief".

Deborah Lewis set up the Milton keynes group after losing her father during the Covid-19 pandemic

Ms Lewis, who lives in the city, said the event was for "all lives lost during Covid and giving thanks to those who carried on".

Her father died during the pandemic, and she was unable to be with him, so started the Milton Keynes-based group to help others.

"Many of the bereaved were unable to gather at funerals and to be with their loved ones and for many it will be the first time they will be able to come together with others who understand what that grieving process was," she said.

Chinwe Osaghae attended the event as she says people are still worried about the impact of Covid-19 on their health

Chinwe Osaghae, a special needs teacher and community artist in Milton Keynes, said she had "seen extensively" the impact the pandemic has had on the community.

"Adults are living with fear, depression and hopelessness," she said.

"That hung like a cloud over people in the pandemic, and that has been passed on to the younger people."

Claire Line and Karen Arundel lost their mother during the Covid-19 pandemic

Sisters Claire Line and Karen Arundle came to honour their 84-year-old mother, who died during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

Ms Line said they made the 45-minute journey to the service to "be there" for her.

Ms Arundle also wanted to remember her 42-year-old friend who died in the pandemic.

Sam Royston said it was a time for the community "to come together and acknowledge people's loss and the impact that's going to have throughout their lives"

Sam Royston, a director for policy and research at Marie Curie, said: "The Covid pandemic was such a traumatic experience for us all but for the millions of people who were bereaved over the course of the pandemic, the impact of that is likely to be lifelong.

"Taking a moment to commemorate, through events like the one we're holding today, is so important to not just acknowledge those that have died but to acknowledge their lives.

"To remember they lived - and to give the time and space for us all to reflect on the signification of that."

Messages were left to those that lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic