Today marks the anniversary of the first person in Hammersmith & Fulham to lose their life to Covid.
In the 12 months that have followed, I am sorry to report that Covid has taken 300 borough residents – in so many instances our friends, family and neighbours. I know all of us in the borough send our heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one.
As the battle against the pandemic continues, and our NHS vaccinates thousands of local residents, and we rigorously test and trace to understand how different Covid variants are being transmitted, I think so many people have quietly resolved to honour those we have lost by building better lives for ourselves and others across society as we begin to contemplate what a post-pandemic world might look like.
That’s something H&F will work with people across the borough to do.
Cllr Stephen Cowan
Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham
Messages from local leaders
Other local leaders remember the departed and look to the future. Here some of their messages.
H&F Mayor Cllr PJ Murphy
- Transcript of H&F Mayor Cllr PJ Murphy
On 22nd March last year, in Hammersmith & Fulham, we lost our very first resident to COVID-19.
Since then, over 300 people have sadly died of this terrible pandemic.
On behalf of all of us here at the council and, I think, across the borough I offer my heartfelt condolences to everybody that's been affected.
When we look at what's happening now, we look at our terrific scientists, our wonderful, local test and trace colleagues and our friends in the NHS, who are vaccinating so many people, things look hopeful.
Please remember though, that none of us are safe until all of us are safe.
I ask you, up until then, to take very, very good care of yourselves and those that you love.
Pastor Mark van Cuylenburg
- Transcript of Pastor Mark van Cuylenburg
Hello, I'm Pastor Mark van Cuylenburg and I'm the minister at Fulham Baptist Church, Dawes Road in Fulham.
Thank you for asking me to contribute to today's memorial event to mark the anniversary of the first COVID-19 related death in Hammersmith and Fulham.
In a way, I am glad that we are here to mark the anniversary and to remember.
The new, post-COVID normal is a very different time and a very different place from where we were 12 months ago.
In that time, we have discovered a deeper appreciation for our National Health Service and for care workers, a new, more compassionate, more giving, more caring and more loving side of ourselves.
Here in Hammersmith and Fulham, COVID-19 has left us with a community which, despite being locked down, has ventured out from behind our previously locked doors, to support and care for our friends, our neighbours and our families.
Our prayer for you today is that you'll be comforted in your grief but you'll also be encouraged in your new found love for your neighbour.
In Jesus's name
Amen
Dr Saeed Al Qadi
- Transcript of Dr Saeed Al Qadi
Bismillah Rahman Rahim, the brothers and sisters I ask Allah to enable us witness in the best of health and iman.
The challenge is not over yet.
The pandemic is still at its peak.
This disease is real and so many have lost their lives to this disease.
We need to do all we can to protect others and ourselves.
We need to make sure that any information we receive about COVID-19 or the vaccine, that we check its facts for the truth.
We must always get our information from the right sources and the right people, not from WhatsApp, not from Facebook or the social media, but from the specialist in the field.
I ask Allah to grant you all ease and good health
National Day of Reflection
On Tuesday (23 March) many people will participate in the one-minute silence at 12 noon or shine a light at 8pm for the National Day of Reflection organised by the Marie Curie charity with the support of all political parties.
H&F Book of Remembrance
We've created a book of remembrance to pay tribute to all those in the borough who've been lost, or who have lost someone to coronavirus.
Visit the H&F Book of Remembrance page to read the dedications or pay your respects to a loved one or friend.
