Remembering the victims of the Manchester attack one year on
Tributes to the 22 victims
On Monday 22nd May 2017, Ariana Grande had just finished performing at the Manchester Arena when an unthinkable and horrendous act of terrorism was committed against those who were in and around the venue. 22 innocent people sadly lost their lives and many more were injured when a bomb was detonated in the foyer of the arena. One year on, we are focusing on those we lost that night, and sending love to all those affected.
Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry
17-year-old Chloe and her 19-year-old boyfriend Liam had travelled from South Shields to attend the concert. In a joint statement released through Greater Manchester Police, their relatives said, "On the night our daughter Chloe died and our son Liam died, their wings were ready but our hearts were not."
Both families have come together to set up a fund in Chloe and Liam's memory to help support talented youngsters as they explore their passions in music and sport. Chloe's mum Lisa told the Chronicle, 'I think the trust is what’s getting us out of bed each morning. It’s what gives us a focus and the drive to make sure the kids are never forgotten.
'They’re always going to live on. Seeing young people being able to fulfil their dreams and aspirations through Chloe and Liam’s name is what helps us.'
'Mark puts it really well when he says he’s never really been so passionate about anything as much as this because it’s for our daughter and Liam.' Visit the Facebook page for the 'Together Forever Trust'.
Elaine McIver
Elaine and her partner Paul Price had been waiting in the arena foyer to collect Paul’s 13-year-old daughter and a friend from the concert when she was killed by the blast.
The family released a statement which read, 'Elaine was a much loved, daughter, sister, Auntie, friend and colleague, the best we could have ever wished for. She was everyone's friend, thoughtful beyond belief with an effervescent and outgoing personality. Although we will all miss her beyond belief, we absolutely know she will live in our hearts forever.'
Detective Constable McIver was serving as a Cheshire Constabulary officer but was off-duty at the time.
In another statement from the family, they said, 'We all have so many wonderful memories and funny stories that we have been sharing since the tragic events. She would have wanted us all to continue to laugh, despite the tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts.'
'Elaine was not afraid to share her thoughts and strong opinions and would often be the one to verbalise what others were feeling and thinking but were too reticent to say.
'Those who know her will testify to this but know that this was part of her lovable character and was never offensive. The most indisputable fact about her though was that she cared and she loved. She had a huge heart, was thoughtful beyond belief and would do anything for anyone.'
Georgina Callander
18-year-old Georgina Callander was a huge fan of Ariana Grande and had met the star two years earlier. She was studying health and social care at Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire. A statement from the college read, 'Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina's family, friends, and all of those affected by this loss.'
A statement from Georgina's family said, 'On the 22 May 2017 our lives changed forever as our amazing daughter Georgina Bethany Callander was senselessly taken away. Her life was taken away after 18 short years by evil, evil men prepared to ruin lives and destroy families, for what?
'Georgina was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, with a smile that was never ending. She always had big hugs for everyone and her life was blooming like the flowers she loved. She had not long passed her driving test and was doing great in her exams. She had been accepted into Edge Hill University - here was a girl who was loving life.
'I wish I could say that Georgina is one of the last to die in this way but unless our government opens its eyes we know we are only another in a long line of parents on a list that continues to grow. Thank you for the hugs, love and kind words; they really have had a profound effect on us.'
At her funeral, Georgina's brother Daniel Callander, paid tribute. He said, "Georgina was the kindest person you will have ever met."
Georgina had also been a Bolton Wanderers Ladies & Girls FC youth player and the team paid tribute to her on Facebook saying, 'Our thoughts are with Georgina's family and friends at this difficult time ❤️ #WeStandTogether.'
John Atkinson
John, from Radcliffe in Bury, Greater Manchester, was described as an "amazing young man" by his heartbroken family and friends.
His friends paid tribute to him on Facebook saying, 'Thinking of all the Atkinsons at this very sad time John Atkinson you turned into an amazing young man so kind and thoughtful you will be missed by everyone.'
His friend Aeron posted on Facebook, 'Today has been one of the hardest days. Sleep tight pal x John Atkinson you were an amazingly gentle, funny, friend and I am honoured to have known you ♥ ♥ ♥'
Sorrell Leczkowski
14-year-old Sorrell from Leeds was sadly caught up in the blast whilst waiting with her mother and grandmother in the foyer. Michael Healey said his granddaughter 'was our rock'' as he paid tribute to the 'clever, talented, creative girl'.
Sorrell's family said, 'Sorrell was only 14, but she was our rock, she kept us all grounded.
'She was such a clever, talented, creative girl, there was nothing she couldn't do.
'She was going to be an architect and wanted to go to Columbia University in New York to study so that she could build hotels with slides coming out of the rooms and so that she could build her mum a house.'
Saffie-Rose Roussos
8-year-old Saffie had been at the concert with her mother, Lisa Roussos, and sister, Ashlee Bromwich, who is in her 20s, from Leyland, Lancashire.
Ariana Grande paid tribute to Saffie, who was the youngest victim of the Manchester Bombing. After a performance in Buenos Aires last year she posted a picture on Instagram saying, 'Saffie, we're thinking of you baby.'
Saffie's mum wants to create a unique rose in memory of her daughter. In March 2018, she contacted the Royal Horticultural Society as she said it would be a ‘beautiful and fitting tribute’. She would like the rose to be sold for charity. Saffie's father, Andrew, paid tribute to his daughter at the Once Upon A Smile Grand Ball where he said, 'She would have achieved something special and magical. Her captivating smile won people’s hearts. She had a presence at such a young age it used to scare me and Lisa to death.
'She told us a million times a day that she loved us. She was truly world class. So now I owe her, I truly do.'
Lisa Lees and Alison Howe
Friends Lisa Lees and Alison Howe aged 47 and 45, from Royton, Oldham, were waiting to pick up their daughters after the gig.
At her funeral, Alison's husband, Steve, told the congregation at St Anne's Church in Oldham his wife was "beautiful inside and out".
Alison Howe's stepson said she was "caring" and "beautiful"
She was "loyal, calm but also fiery and just perfect". A tribute on behalf Alison's mother Sue, said, "You were the reason why my heart beat, you were my world, my everything.
"I don't know how I will go on without you. I will love you for all eternity."
Lisa Lees' brother, Lee, paid tribute to his sister and told the M.E.N, 'Lisa was a wonderful kind person - an amazing sister, mother, wife and daughter. She had made so much of herself and had so much to offer this world.
'Her loss will be widely felt and is a tragedy, especially to lose her in this way - it’s been very hard to take.'
Lisa's daughter, Lauren, gave brith to a son in December and told the Sunday Mirror, "When my mum found out I was expecting she sent me a text saying: ‘I’m so excited about this baby, I can’t stop thinking about it’.
“When I found out I was pregnant I was having a difficult time in my career. My mum’s support meant everything and she loved and encouraged me. She’d have loved to have had a son herself and call him Dylan, so I wanted to pay tribute to her with the name.
“Our first Christmas without Mum has also been our first with Dylan so it has been so bitter-sweet. I wish nothing more than for her to be here to see the grandson she will never meet, but I know she is looking down on us.
“Now we are determined for this New Year to be one of positivity and love. The bomber will not beat us any more.”
Tributes poured in from Alison and Lisa's friends and families including Alison's step-son Jordan who said, 'They took a caring beautiful mum and step mother away from us all she was amazing to us all x love you loads Alison Howe xx'
Lisa's former colleague, Meg Fox, and her brother Lee Hunter both wrote tributes on Facebook.
Olivia Campbell-Hardy
Olivia Campbell-Hardy, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was only 15-years-old. On Facebook her mum Charlotte said, 'RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell-Hardy taken far far to soon go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much.'
Olivia Campbell-Hardy's mum, Charlotte Hodgson, has said that the past year had been filled with tears, but also happiness.
Charlotte told the Bury Times, "It’s been hard, very hard. It’s been a year of mixed emotions, we’ve had tears and happiness.”
Last year, Olivia's mum married her long-term partner Paul Hodgson, which was a wish that Olivia had. Speaking about their wedding day, Charlotte said, "One of the highs was obviously getting married in memory of Olivia. We did a big charity event in Lanzarote raising money for the Lee Rigby Trust and let balloons off their on her birthday."
The family are also expecting a baby from Olivia's older sister, Catriona, who is reportedly due around the anniversary of the attack. “Olivia would be happy Catriona was having a baby and would be watching Thomas grow up, it’s hard that she’s not here for these things," Charlotte said.
“She was a family person, that’s how she would have wanted it."
Olivia's dad, Andrew Hardy, has also set up a charity in memory of Olivia, with his step-dad. Olivia was a keen singer and dancer and the trust, called Liv's Trust CIO, wants to promote music, drama and the arts to young people in Manchester.
Speaking about the charity, Andrew's step-dad Steve Goodman, said, “It’s been a learning curve for us creating the charity and a nightmare not having Olivia by our sides. There’s been endless times we’ve wished she’d been here to see something. She’s always in our thoughts and always with us. It’s just difficult.
“It’s amazed us with how the charity has taken off. We’ve supported the choir, and the Greater Manchester Pipe Band who applied for £600 for a new set of pipes.'
Marcin and Angelika Klis
Husband and wife Marcin and Angelika aged 42 and 40, from York, were outside the arena waiting to meet their daughters after the concert. They had posed for a selfie only hours before in Manchester.
When the tragic news was confirmed that her parents had been found, their daughter, Alex, responded on Facebook saying, 'wanted to thank everyone for the supportive messages and posts❤️ I'm in no way being ignorant but with everything going on I don't have the time to reply to everyone individually but I do appreciate them all so much x'
A spokeswoman for Marcin's workplace said, 'York Cars Taxis are deeply shocked and saddened by the events in Manchester. Marcin was a pleasant and fun-loving family man and a valued member of our team. He was well liked and respected by his colleagues during his six months with us.
'We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Marcin and Angelika’s daughters, family and friends.'
Kelly Brewster
32-year-old Kelly Brewster from Sheffield died shielding her niece from the blast.
Kelly’s boyfriend, Ian Winslow, said on Facebook, 'Not sure how this works but it isn’t good news. Kelly Brewster wasn’t one of the unidentified hospital patients. She has sadly passed away in the terror attack yesterday. Kelly really was the happiest she has ever been and we had so many things planned together. My daughter Phoebe will be absolutely devastated like we all are.'
Kelly's friend Payton Williams also paid tribute.
A Just Giving page has been set up in Kelly's memory to raise money for the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity. So far over £53,000 has been raised. Kelly's niece, Hollie Booth, appeared on Britain's Got Talent recently and paid tribute to all the victims with an emotional dance routine.
Martyn Hett
29-year-old Martyn Hett, from Stockport, had been due to fly off on a dream trip to America when his life was tragically cut short. Russell Hayward issued a touching tribute to 'wonderful, iconic and beautiful Martyn'.
Paul Evans, the managing director of Rumpus PR where Martyn worked said, “We are all distraught at the tragic loss of our much-loved, larger than life, colourful and charismatic colleague, Martyn Hett. Martyn was an upbeat and positive soul who saw the good, the joy, the fun in everything.
"Martyn loved life and I hope his lasting legacy is that people – in these dreadful times – choose to live their lives with joy, not hate, just like he did."
Mariah Carey, who Martyn was a huge fan of, also paid her respects.
A stage play has immortalised the life of Martyn Hett. The show entitled '#BeMoreMartyn: The Boy With The Deidre Tattoo', is being performed at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 21st to 26th of May 2018.
ITV soap Coronation Street paid tribute to the 22 victims of the 22nd May 2017 terror attack in Manchester by including a memorial bench as part of their expanded set.
A specially commissioned, mosaic-covered memorial bench has pride of place in the urban garden in memory of superfan Martyn Hett and all those who lost their lives. Martyn’s family were the first people to see the new set during a private visit and were present at the unveiling today.
The plaque on the bench reads, ‘For Martyn and all those who lost their lives on the 22nd of May 2017. We stand together’. It also features bees flying around after the bee became a symbol for solidarity following the attack.
Nell Jones
14-year-old Nell Jones was from Cheshire, in a statement from her school Denis Oliver said, 'Nell’s family have been searching for her since the incident in the hope that they would find her being cared for in hospital. Unfortunately, the police have now confirmed that Nell died at the scene.'
Nell was a young farmer and remembered by her Beeston Young Farmers Club on Facebook who said,
'Our thoughts tonight are with Nell Jones' family and friends. Beeston Young Farmers Club also sends our condolences to Knutsford young Farmers Club and we think everyone would agree that they have shown great steel in a difficult time in helping share status' and help in these tragic last 24 hours. Cheshire Young Farmers is a family and yesterday we lost one of our own. RIP Nell #forevermanchester #chooselove.'
Nell's family have set up the Remembering Nell Foundation to support charities in the North West, with the chosen charities this year being the Wingate Centre, for disabled children, Cheshire Autism and the Wood Street Mission, a Manchester-based children’s charity.
Her brother Sam told the Crewe Chronicle, 'We can’t change what happened and there is evil in the world, there is no doubt in that, but there is also great love in the world and great people.
'There are more good people in this world than there are bad people and we can’t let the people who want to destroy our way of life destroy it.
'Defiance is quite a strong word but that is a definite element. We want to spread love around the world.
'Nell and love go hand-in-hand. She was such a caring person, she wouldn’t want anybody to be picked on or be unkind, so we want to try and spread her beautiful message to everyone.'
Jane Tweddle
51-year-old Jane was waiting in the foyer when the bomb exploded. She worked as a receptionist at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, Lancashire.
A statement from Jane Bailey, Principal of South Shore Academy, read,
'We are devastated at this sad news. Jane was a well-loved member of staff and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this terrible time.
'Jane was a truly wonderful friend and colleague to all of us at South Shore Academy. As our receptionist, she was in many ways, the public face of the school and she represented us amazingly in this role. We have received numerous messages of condolences from parents, students, community members and colleagues across Blackpool for which we are very grateful.
'All of them say the same things about our lovely Jane…. bubbly, kind, welcoming, funny, generous….. the list goes on. Our thoughts are also with her family at this dreadful time and in particular her three daughters. In our school family and theirs. She is irreplaceable, much loved and will never be forgotten.'
Her husband Mark spoke of his devastation and paid tribute to his wife. He said, 'Jane was obviously a very, very lovely lady and a very good mother to three daughters. She was full of life and very energetic with the children, going to functions and all sort of different things like skiing. We had loads of happy times.'
Michelle Kiss
After the death of his wife Michelle Kiss, her husband of more than 20 years, Tony Kiss, described his wife as "beautiful", saying, "She was so selfless. Even on her way to pick up the girls she was texting a friend to see if she needed help and giving money to homeless people."
Earlier this month a charity golf tournament was set up in memory of Michelle. The tournament, organised by Michelle's son Dylan Kiss and friend Sam Geddes, raised money for three critical care units at hospitals across Manchester.
Michelle was a loving wife to Tony and mother to Dillon, Eliot and Millie.
12-year-old Millie paid a moving tribute to her mum, "All our family and friends are missing you so much. You were taken away too soon and should definitely not have been. I can’t even put into words how much you are missed.
“Elvis, the family dog, is missing his treats and his walks with his Mummy and Rocco is wondering what is going on. I ask myself everyday why do the good people get given the worse things.
"Life is going to be so different without my mum by my side, but I am going to remember you, mum, with your beautiful smile and pretty face and sparking eyes. You will never ever be forgotten - not by anyone. I know we only knew each our for 12 years, but it felt like a lifetime.
"I love you all the way to the moon and back and a billion times more. My mum was such a loving wife, a caring mum, fantastic sister, a beloved daughter and the best friend anyone could wish for.
"My mum would sit down and listen to anything that people were saying. She had time for anyone and everyone. Anyone would wish for a friend like my mum.
"I hope life is better where you are now my beautiful angel, Mum.'
Eilidh MacLeod
14-year-old Eilidh from the Outer Hebrides was with her friend Laura MacIntyre who was seriously injured in the blast. A statement issued by the family read, 'Our family is devastated and words cannot express how we feel at losing our darling Eilidh.
'Eilidh was vivacious and full of fun. She loved all music whether it was listening to Ariana or playing the bagpipes with her pipe band.
'As a family we would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the support and kind messages we have received at this difficult time.'
Eilidh and her friend Laura, who was badly injured but survived, both attended Castlebay Community School in Castlebay, Barra, and shared an interest in music. Speaking about Eilidh, Barra parish priest Father MacKinnon said she had lived her life "with a smile on her face and a smile in her heart".
He went on to say, "Those 14 years were short, but filled with so much. Here on the island we never take for granted the years we have."
Paying tribute to Eilidh a leading contemporary Celtic music band have written a song in her honour. In a statement, the band called Skipinnish, said "Over the last few months having met with Eilidh's parents we decided with encouragement from them, to make the origins of the song known to the public.
"Following from that and to help with fundraising for a permanent memorial to Eilidh on Barra, we got together with Malcolm Jones who arranged and produced the original track, and created a new version of the song."
A JustGiving page has also been set up in memory of Eilidh by a member of the family. According to the page 'Her parents will tell you that “her love of music was unsurpassed and she enjoyed her time playing, travelling and competing in the pipe bands immensely” so any monies we raise will be in part donated to her band, the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band.
The JustGiving page, explains how they would like to have a 'permanent memorial to Eilidh MacLeod in Barra and ensure her love of music lives on through her Pipe band'.
Wendy Fawell
Wendy had been with her friend Caroline Davis Osborne, while they were waiting for their children, when the bomb was detonated in the foyer of Manchester Arena. Wendy's daughter Charlotte, who was 15-years-old at the time, and Caroline were left seriously injured after the explosion.
Family and friends of Wendy Fawell attended a funeral service followed by a private function in June 2017. At the funeral Caroline said, "I think about it all of the time, when I go to bed I just see me and Wendy walking into the foyer, that's all I see when I shut my eyes.
"I can't see an end to how I feel at the moment, I'm still finding it really difficult to comprehend what happened and Wendy isn't coming back."
A family friend, Jean Osborne, also described Wendy as, "The kindest person you'd ever wish to meet." She continued, "She'd do anything for you. She was an awesome person. She'll be missed by many."
The family of Wendy Fawell, from Otley, West Yorkshire, had mounted a frantic campaign to find the 50-year-old who had been missing since Monday night's explosion.
On Thursday, St Oswald's C of E Primary School, in Guiseley, said on Twitter: "It is with deepest sadness that I confirm that our former colleague Wendy Fawell was killed in the Manchester bombing. RIP, Wendy.''
Wendy was reported to have been about to leave the concert with her 15-year-old daughter Charlotte, along with a friend and her sons, when they were caught in the attack.
Earlier today Wendy's sister-in-law thanked people for their messages and said, 'sleep tight now , forever in our hearts'
More than 100 people attended the vigil for Wendy.
Courtney Boyle and Philip Tron
19-year-old Courtney Boyle and her mother's partner, 32-year-old Philip Tron, had travelled from Gateshead to see Ariana Grande.
Courtney's dad paid tribute to his daughter, “She was a little adventurer. She had her heart set on going into criminology and that’s what she went down to Leeds to do at university. I was so proud of her. She was a typical teenager, she loved her music and she loved animals. But music was her biggest passion and she used to love going to music festivals.
“Courtney loved horror movies and we’d watch them together and when she was a little girl I’d sing The Lighthouse Family - Lost in Space to her. I have all the memories in my head and I’ll never lose them.
“I dream about her all of the time then wake up with my heart racing. I wake up crying, it’s horrible. The dreams are so real, I don’t want to wake up because in my dreams she’s still here."
Leeds Beckett University paid tribute to Courtney at a graduation ceremony as she had been coming up to the end of her first year of a criminology degree.
She was described as “bright, hard-working and gifted”. Courtney’s mum, Deborah Hutchinson, collected a posthumous award to mark her daughter’s achievements.
At the time of Courtney and Philip's death, a statement from Deborah read, 'My stunning, amazing, beautiful daughter. You were my rock, you made me so proud with all you had achieved and my gorgeous crazy Philip, you made my world a happy place and now you are both my angels flying high in the sky.'
Megan Hurley
15-year-old Megan Hurley was a schoolgirl from Merseyside. At her funeral, a statement was read on behalf of her brother Bradley who said, “We would endlessly laugh and have the music full blast in my car. Over the past months, upon her turning 15, we grew closer than ever. Sharing secrets up until our final night together. We really understood each other. We even had our own little language.
“The one thing we didn’t agree on was how long cuddles would last. She’d always tell me to get off. But holding on is one thing I didn’t regret."
A tribute on behalf of Megan’s mum and dad, Mike and Joanne, said, "She loved watching her favourite bloggers on a daily basis. Megan really enjoyed going to the cinema. She had a passion for music and played it from morning to night. She loved going to concerts.
“Megan was developing into a beautiful young lady. She had so much to look forward to and plans to make for the future. She laughed and lived her little life to the full. Megan loved getting new clothes and always liked to dress smartly. She was such a kind-hearted, loving, caring and beautiful young lady."
Megan's brother Bradley, who was injured in the blast, has created a pin in memory of his sister. On the website he said, 'I was a survivor of the Manchester arena attacks, I have recovered well but unfortunately my sister, my best friend, was killed. It was after a lot of thought, designs, printing & repeating that I decided to make a pin badge in honour of my sisters life in order to raise money for a garden being erected in memory of her.
'While recovering in hospital I chose my favourite image of my sister & began making it stylised before reaching out to pinhead, who made the design pin-ready & cut out the middle man for me. We raised a huge amount of money by selling 500 pins for £5 each.'
Our thoughts are with all the friends and families of those affected.