Bikers in tribute to tragic Olivia
DOZENS of motorbikes and scooters took to the streets in memory of a teenage victim of the Manchester Arena terror attack.
Bikers and enthusiasts gathered in Bury to ride and remember Olivia Campbell, 15.
Olivia, a pupil at Tottington High School in Bury who loved music and singing, was at the Ariana Grande concert with her friend Adam Lawler, 15, who remains in hospital.
It is understood that he is being treated after suffering a serious eye injury and has undergone surgery.
Olivia’s family, from the Redvales area of Bury, issued an emotional plea on Tuesday after police classed her as missing. The dreadful news of her death was then confirmed on Wednesday. The spontaneous bike rally started in Bury and ended in Manchester city centre at St Ann’s Square, where thousands of Mancunians have flocked in the aftermath of the devastating attacks to lay flowers and leave messages.
The parade included motorbikes and scooters decked out with pink ribbons and other touching tributes.
Olivia’s mum Charlotte and stepdad Paul Hodgson are members of the Skin City scooter club in Bolton and took part in the celebration of her life. A round of applause in her memory broke out as rally riders assembled at St Ann’s Square and many laid flowers. Writing on Facebook, Olivia’s mum Charlotte – who has a new bee tattoo with her daughter’s name above – described her as a ‘precious, gorgeous girl.’
She said Olivia was ‘taken far, far too soon’ and added: “Go sing with the angels and keep smiling. Mummy loves you so much.”
In a later post she thanked the public for sending messages of support. She said the family were ‘completely broken’ but the many words of condolence were comforting.
Olivia’s school meanwhile will honour her memory with a ‘colour day’ today designed to celebrate her life. Students at Tottington High are being asked to wear bright, vibrant colours to school and donate to the appeal to help the victims of the bomb attack and bereaved families.
The school’s headteacher, Brian Duffy, said in a tribute: “As a school community we are absolutely devastated and heartbroken at the news that Olivia has passed away.”