Readers raise £750,000 in just 12 hours
MANCUNIANS have once again proven their incredible generosity – donating nearly £750,000 for those affected by the Arena bombing in just 12 hours.
Scores of M.E.N. readers contacted us asking how they could help after waking up to the terrible news that 22 people had died and at least 120 more had been injured in the blast.
We set up a Just Giving page to raise cash for victims’ families and those injured in the terror attack.
In less than two hours, more than £20,000 was donated by around 1,300 people.
By 10pm last night that figure had reached a staggering £740,000 – after just 12 hours.
The figure on the Just Giving site includes £100,000 pledged by Fashion brand Boohoo. The Co-op has also separately pledged £100,000 that isn’t part of the Just Giving total.
The page has also been flooded with touching tributes to the victims of the attack from people across Greater Manchester and further afield.
Messages of defiance were also posted as Mancunians vowed not to buckle.
Mary McDaid said: “Proud to be a Manc, nothing and no one will ever divide us. We stand together against terrorism.”
Sonia Davies posted: “Please all donate. Let’s show as a community we stick together in the face of these horrific situations.”
Laura Noble said: “I’m saddened by this mindless act of terrorism. As a proud Mancunian, I am not surprised to see such bravery and kindness. My love to all those affected. Stay strong and know our thoughts are with you.”
From the moment news of the attack broke Mancunians went above and beyond to help victims of the attack.
Businesses and residents opened their doors to offer people shelter and food.
Taxi drivers offered to drive people home for free and provided transport for those desperately searching for missing loved ones.
Thousands of people shared missing appeals on social media.
And dozens turned up to blood donation centres to do their bit.
When Manchester Dogs’ Home was hit by a devastating fire in September 2014, an M.E.N. appeal helped raise £2m for the charity thanks to thousands of kind donations.
M.E.N. readers have also raised more than £60,000 to help rebuild the world-renowned Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute after a massive fire last month.
Make a donation at justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/ westandtogethermanchester