Covid woodland memorial a fitting tribute to pandemic victims and heroes - YEP Comment

Plans to create a new memorial woodland – that would serve as a lasting tribute to victims of Covid-19 in Leeds – have been approved.

Based on the site of a former golf course, in south Leeds it would also house school sports facilities.

The former South Leeds Golf course. Pictured from left: Lord Mayor Coun Asghar Khan, Esther Wakeman CEO of Leeds Hospitals Charity, Coun Salma Arif and Leader of Leeds City Council, Coun James Lewis.placeholder image
The former South Leeds Golf course. Pictured from left: Lord Mayor Coun Asghar Khan, Esther Wakeman CEO of Leeds Hospitals Charity, Coun Salma Arif and Leader of Leeds City Council, Coun James Lewis.

“Everyone has had a difficult 18 months and it is important we have a fitting memorial to remember all friends and family that we have lost during the pandemic,” Coun Salma Arif told a council meeting discussing the plans.

And we could not agree more.

This city and its residents have been rocked to the very core by coronavirus.

We have been ground down to a halt, forced apart and, for many, thrown into mourning as loved ones lost their lives.

But we have also seen outpourings of love and generosity, as the city and its frontline workers pulled together.

It is for these reasons, and so many more, that Leeds deserves to have a lasting tribute to both the victims of Covid-19 and the heroes.

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