Lincoln Cathedral and other prominent U.K. landmarks will light up yellow this evening for the National Day of Reflection, marking one year since the beginning of lockdown.
The event, organised by the charity Marie Curie, is a tribute to lives lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation also hopes the day will encourage people to look forward to a brighter future.
To honour those who died, the U.K. observed a minute’s silence at 12pm and people are being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps with candles at 8pm.
Lauren Alexander-Lee from Marie Curie said restrictions have led to more people turning to their services. “Normally, you’d have a sister or brother or friend coming round to check on you but because of lockdown restrictions, people haven’t been able to do that.”
She hopes the event will allow the nation to grieve together.
Nick Brown, precentor for the cathedral, said: “Hope is central to the Easter story. It’s about transformation and hope out of despair. So, it’s a natural fit for the Church of England to work with Marie Curie on this day of national reflection.
“A lot of people have suffered real loss and isolation, in ways that we couldn’t have expected a year ago. This day provides an opportunity to connect with others through kindness, love and support – to look forward with the hope of things to come.”
Such a beacon of hope