PEOPLE across the UK are being urged to pause for a moment of remembrance on Tuesday to remember those who have died during the pandemic.

Spearheaded by Marie Curie, over 110 organisations are behind the day, including British Red Cross, Girlguiding, Jo Cox Foundation, Royal Voluntary Service, The Scouts and Together.

The?National Day of Reflection?is being held on Tuesday, 23 March -?the anniversary of the UK going into the first national lockdown.

Since the pandemic began, many have been unable to say goodbye or grieve?properly.

The day will allow us all to remember those who have died,?and bring people together?to pause, reflect and?support each other?this month and in?years?to come as we look with hope to the future.

The charity is inviting everyone to join together to hold a minute’s silence at 12 noon and take a moment to reach out to someone they know is grieving.

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, backed the day of remembrance, saying: "Over the last 12 months the pandemic has turned all our lives upside down. Too many families have lost loved ones and close friends and so many people haven’t had a chance to say goodbye because of all the changes that coronavirus has meant to our lives.

"It’s really important that we have the opportunity to come together to reflect on the last year. 23 March is an opportunity to unite and support each other during this tough time."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also backed the day, saying: "This has been an incredibly difficult year for our country.

My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, and who have not been able to pay tribute to them in the way they would have wanted. As we continue to make progress against the virus, I want to thank people for the sacrifices they continue to make, and hope they can look forward to being reunited with loved ones as restrictions are cautiously eased."

The Prime Minister will be marking the minute of silence at 12 noon privately on 23 March.

Marie Curie’s Chief Executive, Matthew Reed, said: "We welcome the news that political leaders are signalling their support for a National Day of Reflection on 23 March, on the anniversary of the first UK lockdown.

"The last year has been one of the most traumatic and uniting in modern history. With so many of us losing someone close, our shared sense of loss is incomparable to anything felt by this generation. Many of us have been unable to say a real goodbye or comfort our family, friends, and colleagues in their grief.

"We need to acknowledge that and recognise we are not alone.

"That’s why on 23 March, it is important that we all come together to reflect on our collective loss, celebrate the lives of the special people no longer here, support those who’ve been bereaved and look towards a much brighter future."

The British Red Cross is one of a number of new organisations supporting the national day.

The National Day of Reflection, which the movement hopes will become an annual event, will see; a?nationwide minute of silence at 12 noon, followed by bells tolling at 12:01, and prominent buildings and?iconic landmarks will light up?at 8pm across the UK.