The Labour MP for York Central has submitted her contribution for the Parliamentary Covid Quilt to represent York Central during the pandemic.
MPs were asked to sew a square to be added to a quilt to represent their constituency during Covid19.
It was an incredibly challenging time with the pandemic itself, the impact on businesses, the challenges across education and health, as well as the isolation caused by the lockdowns.
For MPs it was a period where many members of the public got in touch with their stories and concerns.
A quilt has been created to mark this period and many hours have gone into stitching the memories and thoughts of that time into a block to appear on the quilt.
Rachael Maskell says she was determined to finish her block as a tribute to all those who lost their lives to the pandemic in York.
The idea behind the design is as follows:
Throughout the pandemic, rainbows appeared in windows to show support for our NHS and care staff who sacrificed so much for the people of York.
The city scape has been stitched in black material as it was a dark time for people in York and it is a reminder of the services, businesses, visitor attractions and churches that closed.
The Yorkshire Rose, speaks for itself, as something that binds us together and can make us so proud of what people of our city achieved over this time.
Stitched into the quilt are the words “Just want to keep you safe”. This, says the MP, became her prayer throughout the pandemic.
The quilt is currently being assembled with contributions from MPs across the country.
Rachael Maskell said: “My square for the Parliamentary Covid Quilt is in commemoration of all those who lost their lives from Covid19 in York.
“While Covid19 continues to blight our lives and we still must take precautions, including Hands-Face-Space, and take up our vaccines.
“Thankfully the very worst is behind us.
“It was a very sobering time for us all, something I trust that we will never have to see the likes of again.
“I was determined to ensure that York was represented on the quilt and everyone who volunteered and gave in extraordinary ways, suffered and sacrificed were represented by this block.
“I am so proud of how our city came together to care for one another, this must be our legacy.”
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