Perth and Kinross Covid memorial benches offer solace for John after tragic loss

A Perth man who lost his wife in the midst of the Covid pandemic will “absolutely” pay his loving respects at one of 11 memorial benches installed across the region.College librarian John Dare sadly lost the love of his life, Mary, a former care officer, in January 2021 after she suffered a stroke, where he was unable to visit her in hospital.Shortly afterwards the then 53-year-old attempted to garner support to hold a candlelit vigil that summer and create a permanent memorial site for those who lost their lives during the pandemic.Since then cemeteries have been handpicked by the council in remembrance of those who sadly lost their lives to the world-changing virus, being unveiled on the third anniversary of the first lockdown (March 23).“It is a positive thing to have these benches,” John said.“I think it is becoming too easy to forget about the pandemic and get back to normal.“You see how quickly we stopped wearing masks.

So it is something to remind people.”When asked if he will visit a local bench to remember his wife, John said: “I will absolutely do that.”He continued: “I said as Covid hit that it was going to affect everybody in some shape or form.“You don’t think it will be you.

Myself and my family had to deal with the restrictions that were in place at the time. Not being able to speak to her until it was too late – that was the killer.“I am relieved that it is not just in Perth but has included the whole region.

Any form of remembrance is a good thing.”Since 2020, there have been more than 200,000 coronavirus-related deaths across the UK.That year the council launched a website collecting the stories of those who lost their lives to Covid, as remembered by their loved ones.The benches have now been installed