Hands memorial paying tribute to town's Covid key workers unveiled at Doncaster park

The Caring Hands memorial has been officially launched in Sandall Park and will act as a lasting tribute to those who have gone above and beyond in Doncaster during the Covid-19 crisis.

The colourful sculpture has been installed near to the Wheatley Park’s Thorne Road entrance.

Sandra Crabtree, chairman of Friends of Sandall Park, the volunteer group which looks after the park, said: “The idea had started out as being painted stones set around the grass roundabout, but it soon developed into the entwined hands.

“It represents the caring hands of the NHS staff, carers, shop staff; delivery drivers; council workers; volunteers and everyone else who reached out to touch hearts and minds during the pandemic.

"It will be a lasting reminder of everything we've been through - together.”

The park’s head ranger Emma Pickering read out a poignant poem she'd penned at the beginning of the pandemic and Caitlin Barclay, who'd created bows for the fences during the first lockdown, cut a symbolic ribbon.

Added Sandra: “We hope people will be able to enjoy this special symbol for years to come.”

Emma's Poem:

Nobody knew what would happen,

Times changed, and fast,

A script that was unwritten,

This wasn’t in our past.

An invisible virus,

Spreading immeasurable fear,

Isolating us all,

From those we hold dear.

“Help us!” The country cried,

Nothing was enough,

An invisible killer,

Times were going to be tough.

Up stepped an army,

All dressed in blue,

This was the NHS,

Going to help you.

With their hearts on their sleeves,

No bulletproof vests,

An army marched to battle,

Against a virus in our chests.

Not enough equipment,

Numbers rising fast,

More people getting ill,

How long will this last?

A determined army,

Full of people who care,

Nothing could stop them,

These people are rare.

They are hard at work,

While we line the road,

We applaud them,

While they carry the load.

Many more will lose,

This horrific fight,

But we need to remember,

In the darkness there is light.

We are all so thankful,

For the care that is the best,

Together we will get through this,

Thank you NHS!