HONOURING THE HEROES

A Lakeland photographer has launched an appeal for a permanent memorial to NHS staff who have died during the lockdown

- Paul Mackenzie

They’re the people on the front line of the battle against Coronavirus, the people working round the clock to help others. Many of them have been plucked early from their studies and thrust into extraordinary circumstances they could never have been prepared for. Others have swapped their safe and peaceful retirement for a return to hospitals and health centers during the biggest crisis the National Health Service has faced.

There has been a huge outpouring of gratitude to the doctors, nurses, porters, carers, receptionists, and all their colleagues throughout the service ever since the scale of the virus here became apparent.

‘We are still in the middle of this awful crisis and sadly many more will die yet. I do not want them to be forgotten’

Thousands are on their doorsteps every Thursday evening applauding the selflessness of the people putting themselves at risk to care for others. And, as you’ll read elsewhere in this magazine, businesses and individuals have used the lockdown to help fill the shortfall in essential protective equipment.