Son's fight for answers features in documentary

A man who lost his father during the coronavirus pandemic said he was still campaigning for answers.

Lobby Akinnola's father Femi, who worked with adults living with learning disabilities, died with Covid-19 in April 2020 at the age of 60.

Mr Akinnola, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, said he was still campaigning for answers on behalf of the Covid-19 bereaved families as a public inquiry continues. "Five years feels like a long time but the pain is still very present", he said.

He features in the documentary, Love and Loss: The Pandemic 5 Years On, which airs on BBC One on Monday at 20:00 GMT.

Femi was a regular gym-goer, with no underlying health conditions, and Mr Akinnola said he thought racial inequalities may have put him at greater risk.

Speaking to BBC CWR, he said: "It's important that we don't forget those people that we've lost and that's something that I hope this documentary will do, give people the space to share and experience each other's sorrow.

"It's the largest loss of life since World War Two and it's important that we take the time and space to commemorate and remember those we've lost."

The UK recorded more than 220,000 Covid-related deaths, and the aim of the documentary is to retell the story of the pandemic through the eyes of 12 people who lost loved ones – including the film's director, Catey Sexton.

"People sacrificed themselves, there were people who were fighting to try and keep us all healthy and safe and they paid the ultimate price," Mr Akinnola said.

"It's so important that we remember those people and try to live up to the legacy they have set of caring for your fellow man.

"It's so crucial that we learn from this disaster and find answers, there's nothing I can do to bring my father back but if finding out what went wrong for him means that someone else doesn't have to be in the same place then I'll spend every day I have trying to make sure that we get those answers, not just for my closure but for the sake of those who come after us."

The documentary will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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