A remembrance service is taking place this Tuesday morning to commemorate the people who have died of Covid-19 and celebrate the support given by the people of the borough over the past year, writes Kit Heren…
The service, which is being broadcast live at 11.50am, is part of a national day of reflection, marking a year since the UK first went into lockdown in 2020. It will also include a national minute’s silence.
Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark Cathedral, will lead the service. Musharraf Chaudhury, Chairperson of Southwark Multi-Faith Forum and Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Safety, will also attend.
You can watch the service live via the council’s YouTube channel.
Councillor Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for public health and community safety, said: “Last year seems another world away, and the past 12 months has been an immensely challenging experience for everyone, for so many reasons. Thousands of families across the country have been bereaved, losing loved ones in an unimaginable year of suffering.
“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with them especially, and particularly to all the people that Southwark has lost to the pandemic, our dear staff and residents, many of whom sacrificed everything to be on the front line helping others in public services. We will never forget you all. My deepest sympathy is with the friends and families they leave behind, and today I reflect on what the borough has lost in this tragic year.”
“I would also like to express my gratitude, on behalf everyone in Southwark, for the exceptional hard work, stoicism and resilience shown by each and every member of staff who has worked on the front line this year, all those who supported them, and every volunteer in Southwark.”
Akoto hailed the work of the people who managed parks, looked after people in need, including people in poverty and the homeless, distributed food, adapted to different ways of teaching, and managed test centres and vaccination efforts.
“I couldn’t be more proud, and I look forward to the hope that the vaccine brings and brighter times ahead.”