lily meets nurse who treated her after arena attack
A TEENAGE girl seriously injured in the Manchester Arena attack is recovering at home after more than a month in hospital.
Freya Lewis suffered multiple fractures, cuts and burns after being hit by shrapnel following the blast. She underwent five surgeries in 11 days.
The 14-year-old Holmes Chapel Comprehensive and Sixth Form pupil had been at the Ariana Grande concert with her best pal, Nell Jones, who tragically died at the scene.
On Thursday, Freya’s parents Nick and Alison posted a message on their blog saying their daughter had been discharged from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after 36 days. They said Freya’s strength was ‘impossible to put into words,’ and that she was doing ‘fantastically well.’
Freya is said to be slowly returning to her cheeky self, and has spent a lot of time thinking about Nell.
The post read: “All continues to be well with Freya at home. She’s getting a lot of sleep, and we’re doing some catching up too. Her mood remains positive, she has spent a lot of time since she’s been home finding pictures and videos with Nell.
“She even found the selfie that Nell had insisted was taken the first time that they ever met, in Year 7.
“Finding these pictures has been really good for Freya, as it reminds her just who Nell was and how much she loved her.”
They also thanked everyone for their ongoing support.
A fundraising campaign launched by dad, Nick, for the paediatric critical care unit at RMCH as a thank you to the hospital has raised £17,000. Nick said that despite the horrific ordeal, his family had never been closer.
He wrote on the blog: “On many occasions we have laughed so much that it began to hurt.
“We have cried so many tears, but some of them have been tears of joy and laughter.
“Much of this has been down to the incredible staff at RMCH, who have worked so hard to keep us positive. As a family, we were always close, but this has made us so much closer.
“There are few parents who get the chance to know their 14-year-old daughter as we have come to know Freya over the past few weeks.
“Hence, on so many levels, we can take something good from this nightmare. Long may it continue.”
To donate to the JustGiving page visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ SupportforFreya.