NEVER FORGET
Manchester pays tribute to 22 ‘angels’ killed in Arena bombing with bee pics on third anniversary
MANCHESTER has today paid tribute to the 22 "angels" killed in the Arena bombing with poignant pictures of bees three years on.
Children drew sweet pictures of the city's symbol and placed them in the windows of homes.
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And the bees have been placed alongside drawings of rainbows which are being displayed in support of the NHS in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The nationwide lockdown has meant that members of the public had been advised not to gather or leave tributes to commemorate the third anniversary of the atrocity.
But some have still placed flowers at the scene of the arena where the horrific terror attack unfolded three years ago today.
Greater Manchester mum Steph Taylor : "We haven't forgotten them."
She said her family - including her daughter who was the same age as the youngest victim killed - had wanted to "share the message that we stand together".
US pop star Ariana Grande had just left the stage on May 22, 2017, when a bomb exploded in the foyer of Manchester Arena moments later.
Witnesses told how nuts and bolts were sent flying in the blast as fans made their way to Manchester Victoria train station next door to the concert venue.
Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos was the youngest to be killed among the crowds.
She was a huge fan of Ariana Grande and was said to be “elated” to be at the concert.
Among the others killed were an off-duty police officer, a brave aunt who shielded her 11-year-old niece from the nail-bomb blast and a number of innocent teens.
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The fanatic responsible for the horror was identified as Manchester-born Salman Abedi, 22.
But today, grieving families have chosen to remember their loved ones.
Eilidh MacLeod was just 14 when she was killed.
A charity, Eilidh's Trust, has since been set up in her memory.
And in a tribute to the teen on Facebook, they wrote: "It is hard to believe that three years have passed since we lost our beautiful Eilidh.
"A bright light and a spark of fun was extinguished that night, making our worlds darker and poorer as a result.
"The events at Manchester Arena have left a mark on all of our lives.
"At this time, we will keep Eilidh’s family – and those of all the victims - in our thoughts. We send them our love and assure them that Eilidh’s vigour for life, and her deep affection for family, friends and music are at the forefront of all our minds over the coming days.
"We all have happy memories of Eilidh and the part she played in our lives. This is what we will think about at this time."
A church service, led by the dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, began with prayers at 9.30am.
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It will be held again at 4.30pm, when the names of the 22 victims will be poignantly read out.
The Manchester cathedral service was broadcast live on Facebook, with those watching invited to light a candle in remembrance.
At 10.31pm, the time the bomb was detonated on 22 May 2017, a recording of the cathedral’s bells tolling 22 times was aired on BBC Radio Manchester, while other stations broadcast “a reflective moment”.
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