Appeal for tributes for NHS and care workers who died fighting coronavirus

The British public can now pay fitting tributes online to health and care workers who have died from coronavirus.

Boris Johnson revealed last week that more than 300 NHS and social care workers across the UK have died with the virus, but the true total is thought to be far greater.

Now, a website called covidmemorial.co.uk is appealing for tributes from the public to ‘ensure the people are not forgotten when this is all over’.

People who knew those who have died are asked to submit their memories about them to help create a true picture of their life.

‘While most of us are doing our part by staying home, there are those who are going out every day and facing this emergency head on,’ the website states.

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‘Sadly, not all of them will make it back home.

‘Don’t let their deaths be in vain. Stay indoors, follow government guidelines and help protect our NHS. Together, we can weather this storm and come out on the other side even stronger.’

Website creator David Battersby said he hopes the project will show the human side of the numbers being reported in the news.

He said: ‘I created this site as the healthcare and emergency services workers deserve to know how much we support and appreciate them for what they do for us.

‘Their courage simply cannot be overstated or forgotten. Too many won’t live to see the end of this pandemic.

‘Many more will be left permanently affected by it. As will the countless families and friends of those who will die.’

He added: ‘I believe it is important for others, particularly young people, to see acts of heroism because the instinct for admiration is the instinct for imitation.

‘I hope these memorials will encourage and inspire others to face any future crises with the same confidence and courage as these brave people.

‘For that to happen, we’d like to hear from the people who knew them, which is why we’re hoping that those who can tell us those stories get in touch.’

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