Campaigner seeks city's first Covid memorial

A charity founder is stepping up her campaign for a city's first permanent memorial garden dedicated to those who died during the coronavirus pandemic.

Deborah Lewis, who was made an MBE after setting up Covid-19 Families UK to support bereaved families, said it was "shocking" that no dedicated site for reflection exists in Milton Keynes.

She said she had previously tried to work with the council and The Parks Trust on the issue, but with "little success".

There are more than 200 Covid-19 memorials across the UK, many of which have been created by local communities with support from their councils.

Lewis said the Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park, which features a Covid-19 memorial pillar, does not "allow for quiet reflection as it is used as a thoroughfare for many and is situated right next to a site used for funfairs, Pride events, circuses and other events".

The pillar is engraved with the date 23 March, which she said some people find "politically divisive" because it marks the start of the first national lockdown.

In 2013, the Royal British Legion threatened to boycott the MK Rose, arguing it was "disrespectful to the dead" because its pillars commemorated events as diverse as International Joke Day and Tea Bag Day.

The Parks Trust said that the MK Rose's Covid-19 memorial pillar served as a "permanent and lasting commemoration of the pandemic and those who lost their lives".

"Other peaceful places for reflection can be found across Milton Keynes' green spaces, such as the Tree Cathedral, Remembrance Walk at Newlands, or Willen Lake North," it added.

Lewis said that, despite a number of setbacks, she remained committed to finding a space in Milton Keynes for a memorial garden featuring a bench, trees and yellow flowers, the colour adopted by families bereaved by Covid-19.

"The current mayor of Milton Keynes, Paul Trendall, has been hugely supportive and is trying to get Emberton Park to work with me," she added.

"In an ideal world I would love us to have a memorial at Willen Lake. It's calm and serene and a beautiful place for quiet reflection."

The BBC has approached Milton Keynes City Council and The Milton Keynes Rose Trust for a response.

Lewis said she was "incredibly proud" to receive her MBE from Princess Anne at a ceremony held at Windsor Castle.

Her father died during the pandemic and she was unable to be with him.

Her work has included establishing more than 40 online support groups across England and Wales for people bereaved during the pandemic.

"[It] was exceptionally difficult for everyone, but none more so than for those who lost loved ones," she added.

"When I originally began Covid19FamiliesUK, I had no idea just how much of an impact it would have or how many people needed emotional support and now I am determined that even 6 years on, those devastating losses are remembered and recognised.

"This award not only recognises me personally, but also all those who lost loved ones."

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