Geelong Advertiser

Mums who went to collect daughters among the dead

- ELLEN WHINNETT

TWO mothers who went to collect their daughters from the Ariana Grande concert were among the 22 victims of the bombing, their families have confirmed.

Friends Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 47, were waiting in the foyer of the Manchester Arena for their 15-year-old daughters when Salman Abedi detonated his nail bomb.

The pair, from Oldham outside Manchester, were killed.

Their daughters escaped the blast.

The pair’s families, who had been searching for them for hours, confirmed the tragic news on social media.

Lisa’s brother Lee Hunter wrote on Facebook: “For those who don’t know Lisa is gone but never, ever forgotten. I love you Lisa. I’ll miss you so much.’’

Alison’s stepson Jordan Howe, who had been searching for her through Monday night and Tuesday, also took to Facebook to share the devastatin­g news.

“They took a caring beautiful mum and stepmother away from us all. She was amazing to us all x love you loads Alison Howe xx,” he wrote.

It was also confirmed yesterday Olivia Campbell, 15, whose mother Charlotte had been desperatel­y trying to find her through a media campaign, also died in the blast.

Ms Campbell’s emotional pleas on television had touched hearts across the UK and her daughter’s name trended on Twitter as people paid tribute when the sad news was finally confirmed on Facebook by her mum.

“RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell taken far far to soon go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much,” a devastated Ms Campbell posted, with a photograph of her smiling teenager.

Another 15-year-old girl, Megan Hurley, from Mersey- side, was also confirmed among the victims yesterday.

A fundraisin­g page was set up to help raise $1000 for Megan’s funeral.

Helen McDermott, who set up the page, said the money would help give Megan a beautiful send-off, and that the teenager had been taken “far too early due to the awful attacks at Manchester Arena on 22/05/2017”.

“Let’s help Megan Hurley’s family as much as possible guys this is an awful time for the whole country but we can do our bit for our own!!!” she posted.

The eighth victim identified from the blasts is hero aunty Kelly Brewster, 32, who went to the concert with her sister Claire Booth and her niece, Hollie Booth.

Ms Brewster, who was nearest to the bomber, acted as a shield for her sister and niece, who were both injured.

Hollie suffered two broken legs, while Ms Booth received a broken jaw.

Ms Brewster’s uncle Paul Dryhurst told his local paper the Sheffield Star about the appalling attack.

“Kelly shielded Hollie and Claire from the damage. The three were walking out in single file, with Claire in front, Hollie behind her, and Kelly behind her.”

 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES, AFP Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? Floral tributes and messages in Manchester as the working day begins. Below, Britain’s PM Theresa May walks with Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins. A woman is consoled as she looks at the floral tributes following an evening...
Picture: GETTY IMAGES, AFP Picture: GETTY IMAGES Floral tributes and messages in Manchester as the working day begins. Below, Britain’s PM Theresa May walks with Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins. A woman is consoled as she looks at the floral tributes following an evening...

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia