Entertainment
Ariana Grande remembers Manchester bombing victims four years on from attack: ‘My heart is with you today and always’
Ariana Grande has spoken out on the fourth anniversary of the Manchester bombing, paying tribute to the 22 people who were killed.
In May 2017, more than 800 people were wounded after the Manchester Arena was bombed in a terrorist attack following Ariana’s concert.
The One Last Time singer wrote on her Instagram Stories: ‘Although grief is ever-present and our relationship to it is constantly evolving and expressing itself in different ways every day, year round…..I know that this anniversary will never be an easy one.
‘Please know that I am thinking of you today. Manchester, my heart is with you today and always.’
Underneath, the 27-year-old shared an illustration of a heart made up of 22 bees, the motif for Manchester, and the names of each of the victims.
Footballer Marcus Rashford, who was born and grew up in Manchester, also marked the anniversary on Twitter.
‘I remember this day like it was yesterday,’ he said. ‘I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life. Our city. Our people. Never to be forgotten.’
The youngest victim was eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos.
Also killed in the attack were Georgina Callander, 18, John Atkinson, 28, Megan Hurley, 15, and Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15.
Friends Alison Howe, 45 and Lisa Lees, 43 were killed, along with Michelle Kiss, 45, Angelika and Marcin Klis, 39 and 42, Martyn Hett, 29, Kelly Brewster, 32, and Jane Tweddle, 51.
Nell Jones, 14, Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, Liam Curry, 19, Chloe Rutherford, 17, Elaine McIver, 43, Wendy Fawell, 50, and Eilidh MacLeod, 14, also lost their lives.
Courtney Boyle, 19, and her step-father Philip Tron, 32, were also victims of the attack.
Shortly after the bombing, Ariana returned to Manchester for the One Love benefit concert, with proceeds going to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, which was established by the Manchester City Council and the British Red Cross.
More than 55,000 people attended the concert, which also featured performances from Justin Bieber, the Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Mac Miller, Marcus Mumford, Niall Horan and Little Mix.
Katy Perry, Take That, Imogen Heap, Pharrell Williams, and Robbie Williams also performed.
The British Red Cross reported it received more than £10 million in donations in the 12 hours following the concert.
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