Lisa Harding, with her parents Fred and Sandy Harding. [Pic: Lisa Harding]
I’ve met the photographer and illustrator Lisa Harding on a few occasions at events in Lincolnshire. Although originally from London, she’s now based in Coningsby and has a fine range of pictures on her website.
She also follows the Dambusters Blog on Twitter, so I was shocked yesterday when scrolling through a bunch of recent notifications to read this:
Lisa was interviewed last week on her local radio station Lincs FM (the full text of the piece is here) and told the horrendous story of how both her parents died of Covid-19 within six days, just before they were due to get their vaccinations.
“If you’re offered the jab, take it.
It’s not just to protect you, it’s to protect your elderly parents, the vulnerable people around you.
I’m so proud of the vaccination programme that we’ve done.
It’s brilliant seeing all these people get their vaccinations, looking forward to a normal future, whatever that may be.
But it’s tinged with sadness that it came too late for my Mum and Dad.
If others can get the benefit of the vaccine and continue living their lives, it means all these other lives weren’t in vain.
Get your vaccine, take it with both hands.
When you do, you can hug your parents.
I can never do that again.”
My heartfelt condolences to Lisa. But please, please, take notice of what she says. Grab the chance of getting the vaccine with both hands – it’s not just to protect you, it’s to protect everyone around you.
This last year has been the cruellest in my lifetime, and the months ahead will be no less dangerous. We must do all we can to stay safe for however long it takes for the catastrophe to pass. For those of us lucky enough not to have lost a loved one, there will be better days ahead.
Lisa’s Twitter feed
Dambusters Blog 
How absolutely awful, there is nothing one can really say other than sorry.
Thank you Tony.
What a very special and unselfish thing for Lisa to do Charles. Many thanks Lisa and I’m so desperately sorry for your great loss. Words are not enough.
Thank you for your kind words. I still can’t process what has happened if I am home eat and I’m not sure I ever will but something good has to come from this and if people hear my story and take the vaccine then my pain will have been worth it.
Lisa is absolutely right. It’s such a pity that her parents missed their chance by such a short time.
Thank you Darryl x
We are sorry to hear this Charles. Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking message. We will keep Lisa and her family in our thoughts and prayers.
Well said, and so very sorry for Lisa’s double tragedy- my heartelt condolences.
We must all take the opportunity of this vaccine in order to move out of the darkness, and into the light.
I know I’ve said similar before but what you’re doing is so very kind of you Lisa, and will surely encourage people of all race & creeds to take up the offer of the vaccine. Bravo.
Dear Lisa, I can even imagine the pain you are feeling. What a brave and courageous act of kindness reaching out to others in your darkest hour. You and your parents are in my prayers. People we must heed Lisa’s message… have the jab.