Families of those who lost lives could receive up to £250,000

FAMILIES of those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bomb attack are expected to receive up to £250,000 each.

An outpouring of public support has taken the total raised by the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund to £18m.

Now it has been revealed that bereaved relatives – who have already been able to claim £70,000 from the fund – will be eligible for another £180,000.

Around £9m will be left when the new round of payments has been completed, and donations are still flocking in.

People who were taken to hospital have already been given flat rate payments from the fund, which trustees describe as ‘a gift from the people of Manchester and around the world’.

It is likely that those seriously injured in the attack will be among those to benefit further from the remaining funds.

Coun Sue Murphy, chairwoman of the trustees of the fund, said: “The city and the world responded with such extreme kindness, generosity and solidarity in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack.

“Thanks to this we have raised more than £18m and we were conscious that we had to get some of this swiftly to those with immediate needs.”

Many of those affected by the tragedy are also entitled to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.