Join the minute's silence for National Day of Reflection on Tuesday 23rd March

Virgin Radio

22 Mar 2021, 16:56

A 60-second silence will be held tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd March) at 12 noon to show respect for everyone we have lost during the pandemic and to support those who are grieving. The National Day of Reflection marks the one year anniversary of the UK going into the first national lockdown and will be observed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Charity Marie Curie is flying the flag along with the backing of over 200 organisations including BME Voices, Care for the Family, Card Factory, General Medical Council, Flying Flowers, Lions Club, Morrisons, National Garden Scheme, RHS, Stagecoach Group, Stonewall, Superdrug and Winston’s Wish as well as charities, businesses, membership organisations, emergency services, public sector bodies, community groups, individuals and many more

Landmarks across the UK from the London Eye to Trafalgar Square, the National Theatre and Wembley Stadium, to Blackpool Tower, Belfast City Hall, Caernarfon Castle and the Kelpies will be 'lighting up yellow for the millions who are grieving to shine as a beacon of hope and support

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “None of us has escaped the ordeal of Covid-19 - from the shock of having our liberty taken away, to the heartbreak of losing someone we loved. 

“So, a year on, it is right that we take a moment to reflect on what we as a nation have been through; that we pay tribute to the many lives lost and the families that mourn them and we say a big ‘thank you’ to our NHS staff who have worked so tirelessly on the frontline caring for people in need.”

Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, said: “A year ago today we were asked to stay at home to combat the spread of Coronavirus. Since then, many thousands have been lost and the lives of those left behind have been changed forever. 

“The public have made enormous sacrifices to protect the lives of others. It is right that we in the House of Lords pause now, together with the Commons and the whole country, and remember those who have died and those who are bereaved.”

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at the end of life charity Marie Curie, said: “We welcome the news that both the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker are supporting the National Day of Reflection and that both Houses will join the nation in a minute’s silence at 12 noon on Tuesday March 23rd - the anniversary of the first UK lockdown. 

“Bringing both Houses to a shared minute’s silence, along with politicians from across all nations of the United Kingdom, will mark a powerful moment of collective support to the people who have been most affected by the events of this last year.

“The last year has been one of the most traumatic and uniting in modern history. With so many of us losing someone close, our shared sense of loss is incomparable to anything felt by this generation. Many of us have been unable to say a real goodbye or comfort our family, friends, and colleagues in their grief.  We need to acknowledge that and recognise we are not alone.

“That’s why on 23 March, it is important that we all come together to reflect on our collective loss, celebrate the lives of the special people no longer here, support those who’ve been bereaved and look towards a much brighter future.”

Marie Curie will also be hosting free online talks  with expert panels, bereaved families and celebrities throughout the afternoon, produced by the Good Grief Festival, while bells will toll at 12.01.  

To find out more about the National Day of Reflection visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection. #DayofReflection