National Covid Memorial Wall

The National Covid Memorial Wall runs for more than 500 metres along the South Bank of the River Thames in the London Borough of Lambeth. It faces the Palace of Westminster and stands opposite St Thomas’ Hospital. The memorial was begun in March 2021 by volunteers from Led By Donkeys and Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice. Over ten days they painted about 150,000 red hearts, one for each person in the UK whose death certificate listed Covid-19. Bereaved families filled many of the hearts with messages and the names of loved ones. The wall quickly became a focus for public grief and recognition. What started as a temporary artwork soon gathered widespread support, though the original Posca pens faded within weeks. A group of bereaved women formed The Friends of the Wall and repainted every heart using long-lasting masonry paint. They also removed graffiti and added new hearts as the UK death toll rose. Labour leader Keir Starmer visited the mural on the first day and called on the Prime Minister to come for quiet reflection. Today the wall stretches from Westminster Bridge to Lambeth Bridge. Each red heart carries handwritten dedications from families who lost someone to Covid-19. The Friends of the Wall continue to maintain the memorial, ensuring the paint withstands the elements. Nearby, an older plaque remembers the 1994–96 human BSE outbreak. The wall is now set to become a permanent national memorial, preserving this tribute for future generations.