Covid victims and heroes remembered

The ceremony took place in Northallerton

A tree has been planted during a ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the Covid pandemic in North Yorkshire.

Care workers and NHS staff were in attendance last week as the tree was planted in the grounds of County Hall in Northallerton, while a plaque paying tribute to the people of the county was also unveiled.

A nationwide day of reflection to remember those who died during the pandemic and the public servants who helped keep vital services running is being held on Sunday.

Northallerton nurse Helen Sharpe, who was the first person to be placed on a ventilator after contracting the virus in March 2020, was among those attending the event.

Mrs Sharpe said it was "wonderful" to have been part of the ceremony.

Remembering the impact of Covid on her, she said it had been a "reality check" to find herself in isolation in hospital.

"Everyone was aware of Covid-19 from the news headlines, but at that point not that many people had been affected by the pandemic first-hand.

"I felt so vulnerable, with no human contact other than the medical staff who all had to wear protective clothing.

"They were absolute angels and I feel so lucky to still be here."

Frontline workers Helen Sharpe and Julie Samways both contracted the virus in March 2020

Care worker Julie Samways, from Richmond, also spent three days in hospital after contracting the virus but carried on working throughout the pandemic.

"The isolation and loneliness were the biggest things for our clients as they were at home and only saw us when we went round, but even then we were in full PPE (personal protective equipment).

"But the team I work with was brilliant and we had such a great deal of support from our manager and team leaders. It was a very sad and distressing time, but we came through together and are now an even stronger team."

During the ceremony, teenager Dan Byron gave a moving rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables and the council's chaplain, The Venerable Simon Golding, gave prayers for those affected by coronavirus.

More than 220,000 people in the UK died from Covid.

A public inquiry scrutinising the country's response to the pandemic is ongoing.

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