Hundreds join Saffie tribute at cathedral
SAFFIE Rose Roussos, the eight-year-old “superstar” killed in the Manchester Arena bombing, has now been laid to rest.
Her funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral last Wednesday.
Saffie, a pupil at Tarleton Community Primary School, was the youngest of the 22 people murdered as they were leaving an Ariana Grande concert on May 22.
It was the last of the funerals of the victims, after a service for 18-year-old Georgina Callander was held in Tarleton last month.
Saffie’s funeral was delayed until her mother, Lisa, who was badly injured in the explosion, was well enough to leave the hospital for the day.
The Roussos family, who are from Leyland, invited the public of Manchester to gather at and around the cathedral to celebrate the life of the little girl who loved dancing, gymnastics and music.
Greater Manchester police Ch Insp Ian Hopkins, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and members of the North West Ambulance Service were among the hundreds of people who attended.
Saffie’s wicker coffin, which was covered in pink roses, her favourite colour, was carried into the cathedral to Faith by Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande.
Andrew Roussos, Saffie’s father, was the leading pallbearer.
The family asked guests who wished to bring flowers to bring a single rose in memory of Saffie’s middle name.
Dean Rogers Govender of Manchester Cathedral led the service, beginning by saying: “This is a very poignant moment for the family and of course for us as the people of Manchester.”
Chris Upton, the headteacher of Tarleton Community Primary School (TCP), gave a eulogy during the ceremony.
He said: “Like everyone here I am proud to have known this wonderful little girl. She was an inspiration to us all.
“Everyone should try to be more like Saffie – ambitious with humour and love and compassion. “Sleep tight, superstar.” Following Mr Upton’s speech, recorded messages from Saffie’s school friends and teachers were played. One friend said: “Saffie. I love you so much. You’re glorious, unique and my best friend.”
Before the ceremony, 21 model bees were attached to the altar at the cathedral, and another was blessed and added during the funeral, to mark the 22 people who lost their lives in the bombing.
Andrew Roussos also made a moving speech about his daughter.
He said: “She was a superstar in the making.
“To become something in life you need something, that spark, that charisma. The ones that make it are born with it. And Saffie had that.
“She knew what she had and she knew what she wanted and all she asked for was for us to love her.
“I want to promise something to Saffie, with the help of friends and family and with the public. Her dream was to be famous. “I’m going to make her famous.” After the ceremony, Saffie was carried out to Somewhere Over The Rainbow, the song Ariana Grande sung in tribute to the victims at the One Love Manchester concert.
The coffin was then taken away for a private ceremony.