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Three years ago today, Wales and the rest of the UK went into lockdown for the first time due to the Covid pandemic.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 8,344 people have died with the virus in Wales, of which 1,279 have been in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area – which includes Caerphilly County Borough.

To mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, a ‘Day of Reflection‘ is being marked by charity Marie Curie to remember those lost to the virus.

Last year, more than 850 organisations took part in the event.

A national minute’s silence was held at midday on Thursday March 23 to mark the anniversary.

Sharon Jenkins, a bereavement counsellor for Marie Curie in Wales, said: “This year’s National Day of Reflection will be the third; a day where anyone who has been bereaved, no matter how long ago or the cause, will come together to remember loved ones who have died.”

The National Day of Reflection falls during Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity’s annual fundraising appeal to support its nurses, doctors, and hospice staff so they can continue to give people end of life care.