Relative values

Gary McKee is out running on a wet country road. He is in training for a marathon - or rather, for 365 marathons, to be run on consecutive days in aid of charity. And every time he runs, he thinks of his father Victor: "He was a massive instrumental figure in my life... he gave people hope, and he gave people strength... On Celebration Day, every step that I take will be taken in his memory."

The idea of the day came from a group of friends, who launched it in 2022. Anyone can take part.

The aim is to celebrate "those who influenced and shaped us to be who we are today, but are no longer here. It helps us preserve memories and stories of people who have come before us, by sharing and passing them from generation to generation."

The celebration could take the form of anything from a private moment of reflection to a joyful get-together with friends. It might involve a physical activity like Gary McKee's running, or planting a tree or placing a memorial bench.

One of the famous people who has backed the event is Prue LeithA South African chef, broadcaster and writer, who was born in 1940. , who will be remembering her younger brother James. She feels that it fills a gap, since Remembrance DayA memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states to remember members of the armed forces who died during war. is focused exclusively on those who died in war.

"In our family at Christmas we would always toast absent friends," she says. "And it occurred to me, that was the only time we made the effort to think of people who meant a lot to us."

For the first Celebration Day Richard E GrantAn actor and presenter. spent the day planting lupins - flowers loved by his wife Joan Washington, who died of cancer in 2021. Stephen FryAn English actor and writer whose recordings of the Harry Potter series are among the most popular audio books ever. chose to remember his friend Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Festivals to remember departed loved ones are an important part of cultures across the world. Mexico and other South American countries celebrate the Day of the Dead at the beginning of November.

People paint their faces to look like skulls and dress up to take part in colourful parades. They also visit cemeteries to tend their relatives' graves, sing songs and hold picnics and parties.

The Chinese celebrate Zhongyuan, the Festival of the Hungry Ghost, when restless spirits are said to wander the world. People appease them by offering food and burning paper representations of gifts.

Catholic countries have All Souls' Day. In the Middle East, the Thursday of the Dead is celebrated by Christians and Muslims alike.

For the third year, The Day is supporting Celebration Day by running a writing competition for anyone aged five to 18 - and teachers. Entries will open this week.

It involves using your own research, or interviewing older family or friends, to find out about inspiring people from the past - this year with a particular focus on sport.

Is it important to remember our ancestors? 

Yes: Without them we would not exist, so we could not owe them a greater debt. Remembering them honours them and also strengthens our connection to members of our family who are still alive.  

No: They are dead and gone, so it makes no difference to them whether we remember them or not. It makes more sense to live in the present or look to the future than dwell upon what happened in the past.

Or... Some of our ancestors might be interesting, but many will not be. It is much better to focus on people who have had an influence on our lives, whether they are related to us or not.