A powerful memorial honouring NHS workers who lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic has been unveiled at a Hampstead hospital.
The 13-foot bronze tree sculpture, now standing in the gardens of the Pears Building at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, will serve as a permanent national memorial to the dedication and sacrifice of staff during the pandemic.
The memorial was designed by artist Nicola Ravenscroft. Each hand-crafted leaf symbolises a life, a story and a sacrifice.
Peter Landstrom, group chief executive of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It is a huge and poignant honour and responsibility to have this memorial to all NHS staff who gave so much, sited here at the Royal Free Hospital.
"Each of us in the NHS has our own stories and our own moments of heartbreaking grief. Many of us will have colleagues and friends who ultimately gave their lives to keep others safe.
"This sculpture and memorial stands not only for one hospital, or one organisation, but for NHS staff everywhere."
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The memorial was commissioned and funded by a committee led by project director Nic Careem, who has credited the Royal Free Hospital with saving his life on three separate occasions.
Mr Careem said: "This memorial comes from the heart. It stands for the courage we witnessed and the debt we can never fully repay. These extraordinary men and women cared for others in the darkest days our country has known. Now they will always be remembered."
The unveiling ceremony included readings from children at Uxendon Manor Primary School and Parkgate School, who shared poems reflecting on their experiences of the pandemic. Ten-year-old Zakariya Safdar performed Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
Rt Hon Dean Russell, former minister and chair of the memorial committee, said: "I always felt it was important that there should be a permanent monument of gratitude to the NHS and care workers who sadly lost their lives during the pandemic.
"The location provides a fitting place for reflection and I am deeply grateful to everyone that backed the efforts to make this monument possible."
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