Constructed using the £2.7 million raised by the news brand’s ‘Remember Me’ campaign, the memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral will feature in the national thanksgiving service during the Queen’s Jubilee weekend
In one of the most prominent additions to the fabric of St Paul’s since the 19th century, the memorial consists of a portico that contains a digital book of remembrance for any life lost in Covid-related circumstances. Deaths can be registered for free and access to the memorial will also be free of charge.
The memorial will first open during the Queen’s Jubilee service on 3 June, becoming fully operational later next month.
Prime minister Boris Johnson commented on its unveiling, telling the Daily Mail: “I want to congratulate the Mail and its readers on a wonderful campaign.
“We will grieve forever for those we lost from Covid. Our deepest sympathies will be there with their families and loved ones and friends, and I want to thank the readers of the Mail for helping provide a fitting memorial.”
The news brand’s campaign was launched in spring 2021, reaching its £2.3 million fundraising target within one month. It was backed by Prince Charles, who gave a video message calling for the memorial to give remembrance and thanks to those who had died during the pandemic.
At the time of the campaign’s launch, he said: “People of every faith and of none, believe that each human being is unique and precious.
“This virtual book of remembrance is here to help us remember, not just to recall our loss and sorrow but also to be thankful for everything good that those we have loved brought in to our lives, and all they have given to others. We give thanks for how our lives have been woven together with theirs.”
