Manchester unites in a passion to embrace, protect, care and heal
HUNDREDS of Mancunians showed the true spirit of defiance as they raced to the blast scene to help the wounded and comfort the dying.
In stark contrast to the coldblooded brutality of suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, Manchester was united by a passion to embrace, protect, care and heal.
Appalled Muslim taxi drivers rushed into the city to drive terrified victims home for free, while shopkeepers kept worried relatives waiting for news fed and warm.
After the senseless slaughter, the hashtag #roomforManchester trended on social media, with scores of locals offering beds for the night to distraught concert-goers.
And Britons showed their incredible generosity by donating over half a million pounds for the victims.
A JustGiving page was created to raise funds for families and those injured in the blast. And in just seven hours £560,000 was donated by more than 21,700 people.
Yesterday as Mancunians queued to donate life-saving blood, Prime Minister Theresa May visited the city and hailed its “inspirational bravery” and “unbreakable spirit”.
She vowed that Britain would forever remember Monday’s victims and “celebrate those who helped”, insisting “terrorism never wins”.
In her note written in Manchester Town Hall’s book of condolence, she added: “Here in this great city a callous and cowardly act was met by the inspirational bravery of our emergency services and the unbreakable spirit of the people of Manchester.
“As we remember those who died, their loved ones and those injured, we will celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge terrorism never wins and our values, country and way of life will prevail.”
In a stirring speech of defiance, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Mancunians had responded with “courage and decency in the face of cowardice and evil”.
She highlighted how the values of “tolerance, openness and respect for one another” had been demonstrated by hard-working police, paramedics, doctors and nurses.
She emphasised: “We will not be beaten by the twisted ideology of terrorism. We will not descend into hatred or rage. We will stand tall, we stand together. We respond to every act of terror that strikes our nation by shouting from the rooftops that our values, our freedoms cannot and will not be diminished.”
While Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “We teach our children the only way to counter such barbarity is not with hate and with fear, but with compassion, tolerance, kindness and love – like the people of Manchester did.”
Countless heartwarming tales of determination and courage emerged from a city once rocked by an IRA bombing in 1996 that injured 212 people.
Health workers visiting Manchester for a conference immediately pitched in to help.
One touching image showed a female police officer gently draping her coat over the shoulders of a tearful little girl, comforting her.
Yesterday volunteers arrived at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium offering help, with one man walking in laden with two bags of food.
Two women dropped off sweets and magazines for children waiting at the football ground for news of missing relatives.
Businesses and bars stayed open to offer free hot drinks and shelter to victims and our nation’s hardworking emergency services.
One grandfather used the stock of popstar T-shirts he was selling outside the arena as bandages.
Retired bricklayer John Endsor, 60, said: “The bang took my breath away. The next minute I saw just total panic.”
He said he saw a man with horrific injuries to his arms and legs.
He said: “It was caused by shrapnel. I just tied a lot of T-shirts round him. I put one round his arm and two round his leg and shouted for a paramedic.
“There were so many children – little kiddies crying and running.
“There were people running in all directions – it was pandemonium, it was just awful.”
Taxi drivers switched off their meters to give free lifts to victims.
Sam Arshad, who runs Streetcars, said: “We are part of Manchester and it was our job to make sure they got home safe and sound.”
Liverpool City Mayor Steve Rotheram praised one wonderful cabbie who abandoned his car and walked into the city centre – to rescue Mr Rotheram’s two daughters, 21-year-old Haylie and 19-year-old Samantha. He said: “It is your worst nightmare.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also praised his city’s volunteers for demonstrating “the true spirit of our city in the face of such devastating tragedy”.
Councillor Bev Craig tweeted: “Mancunians opening their homes to those stranded and businesses offering free rides. This is the Manchester I love.
Manchester United players held a minute’s silence before their last training session before flying to tonight’s Europa League final in Stockholm.
Several Stars, including captain Wayne Rooney, all sent messages of sympathy on Twitter. Former United star David Beckham was among several ex-players who also posted.