National Day of Reflection marked by landmarks lit up yellow

Places across the UK marked a National Day of Reflection by lighting up yellow this evening.

Spearheaded by Marie Curie, over 110 organisations are behind the day, including British Red Cross, Girlguiding, Jo Cox Foundation, Royal Voluntary Service, The Scouts and Together.

The movement is made up of charities, businesses, membership organisations, emergency services, public sector bodies, community groups, individuals and many more.

Since the pandemic began, many who have lost loved ones have been unable to say goodbye or grieve properly. Organisers said the actions will allow everyone to remember those who have died, and bring people together to pause, reflect and support each other this month and in years to come as we look with hope to the future.

Tonight has seen a range of landmarks lit up, with Wrexham Council publishing the top and below image saying, “We have joined with many others across Wales and the UK to mark one year since the lockdown began and lit up in yellow both the Guildhall and the Aqueduct this evening. We remember those who have lost loved ones and urge everyone to stay safe as we remain at Alert level 4.”

The hospital has also lit up yellow:

Wrexham Maelor Hospital Tonight 💙 #DayOfReflection @wrexham @BetsiCadwaladr pic.twitter.com/L0ywJd80cy

— Maurice O'grady 💙 (@MauriceOgrady1) March 23, 2021

Thanks to Rhys for this image from Moel Famau:

Coleg Cambria’s new campus in town was also lit up:

As was St Giles :

St Giles Parish Church, Wrexham. #lightupwalestoremember #loveforthelost #wrexham pic.twitter.com/EK5YLfLvQB

— Julie Cowan (@joolie2001) March 23, 2021

Further afield the Menai Bridge was also lit in a spectacular manner:

Elsewhere other landmarks have also been lit up:

Today marks exactly a year since the first national lockdown came into force.

We join the national #DayOfReflection to thank all of you for your efforts since March 2020 and to remember those we have lost and everyone touched by this pandemic. pic.twitter.com/wcenDCUJUe

— Isle of Anglesey CC #KeepWalesSafe (@angleseycouncil) March 23, 2021

#DayOfReflection2021 #DayOfReflection 🕯️💛 pic.twitter.com/AYbf67LLKD

— DronePics.wales (@DronePicsWales) March 23, 2021

In #NorthWales this evening we are proud to have supported the lighting of a number of major sites in yellow.. once again top job to all involved and are thoughts are with families and friends of those lost to #COVID

At #GwyrchCastle an 8 minute silence was observed at 20:00 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/4cA7bIYNSr

— Corvus Security Ltd (@CorvusSecurity) March 23, 2021

💛 Diolch @BetsiCadwaladr 💛
💛 Thank you @BetsiCadwaladr 💛#yagym pic.twitter.com/RzxmujUE5l

— Radio Ysbyty Gwynedd (@YGRadio) March 23, 2021

Tonight we lit up Ysbyty Glan Clwyd ⁦@BetsiCadwaladr⁩ in yellow for the day of reflection 1 year after the first UK lockdown. An opportunity for our staff to reflect on the most challenging year of our careers and to remember those colleagues, family and friends 💛💛 pic.twitter.com/uSYGXVWGtv

— Trevor Hubbard (@trehubb) March 23, 2021

St.Asaph Cathedral and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in #northwales lit up as part of #nationaldayofreflection this evening. @StAsaphDiocese @BetsiCadwaladr @teamedygc pic.twitter.com/2uGxYV1NYH

— Steve Morris (@SJM09) March 23, 2021

Rhyl Skytower tonight- Remembering those lost to the Virus @Ruth_ITV @kelseyredmore @ItsYourWales@DerekTheWeather @S4Ctywydd @HelenPlint@BBCWthrWatchers @AmandaHouston @ChrisPage90
@HelenPlint @NubRhyl @rjournal @northwaleslive @ItsYourWales @RhylTownCouncil @RhylBID pic.twitter.com/AJPliZtKyT

— Chris V Evans Photography (@ChrisVEvans) March 23, 2021

Marie Curie’s Chief Executive, Matthew Reed, said: “The last year has been one of the most traumatic and uniting in modern history. With so many of us losing someone close, our shared sense of loss is incomparable to anything felt by this generation. Many of us have been unable to say a real goodbye or comfort our family, friends, and colleagues in their grief.  We need to acknowledge that and recognise we are not alone.”

“That is why it is important that we all come together to reflect on our collective loss, celebrate the lives of the special people no longer here, support those who’ve been bereaved and look towards a much brighter future.”

Tonight Deeside's Rainbow Hospital – which will close to inpatients on Friday – has been lit up yellow in support of @mariecurie's #DayOfReflection pic.twitter.com/VhEz7AJYSQ

— DEESIDE.com (@DeesideDotCom) March 23, 2021

The British Red Cross is one of a number of new organisations supporting the national day, Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: “We support this day to mark our collective loss. This year has left so many people dealing with the painful experience of grief.”

“Too many have lost loved ones – friends, colleagues, precious family members – at a time when we are unable to connect and mourn in person.”

“Bereavement can be isolating so we also encourage people to reach out to friends, families and others in their support network.”

“The more connected we are, the more resilient we are, and kindness can help get us through this crisis.”