Today's online service of remembrance for Covid-19 victims

Civic leaders, carers and NHS staff will be attending a Remembrance Service today (Thursday 16 July) for the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service is held at Manchester Cathedral at 11am, and will be broadcast online for everyone to view on the cathedral’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterCathedral

Only a limited number of people have been invited to the service due to the need to keep social distancing. This incudes the mayors and Leaders of all ten GM councils and two people from each borough who work in health and social care.

An online Greater Manchester Book of Remembrance will also be launched today by the Dean of the Cathedral and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Councillor Tim Pickstone, the Mayor of Bury, said: “This deadly virus has taken a dreadful human toll, in the UK and across the world. For every life that has been lost, there will be many more who are left grieving for their relatives and friends.

“It’s fitting that today’s service will be attended by health and social care staff, who have been on the frontline of treating and looking after our most vulnerable residents.

“This remembrance service drives home the need for all of us to continue to follow the guidelines around social distancing and hygiene and stop this virus taking any more of our loved ones.”