Saffie’s party is too popular to go ahead
SAFFIE Rose Roussos’s star-studded 10th birthday party has been postponed – due to the overwhelming interest.
The former Tarleton Community Primary School pupil, who was the youngest person to die in the Manchester Arena bombing in May last year, would have celebrated her 10th birthday next month.
To mark the date, thousands of people were scheduled to attend Saffie’s Party In The Park in Worden Park, Leyland – including her parents, Andrew and Lisa.
The event was organised by a friend of the Roussos family, Mike Swanson, with help from the local community.
But it has now been postponed until 2019 because the number of people wanting to attend was thought to pose a potential health and safety risk.
Mike, 39, who owns SOS Computing in Leyland, said: “As the plans for Saffie’s Party In The Park have grown to such a huge scale, we have decided to reschedule it for next year instead.
“South Ribble Council and Once Upon A Smile are going to work with us and have an input to make it happen.
“I know this is going to be disappointing for the community but we need to put the health and safety of the public first and meet the licensing requirements and we also want to accommodate everyone that would like to come.
“However, we will make sure it happens for next year and becomes an annual event for Saffie’s birthday.”
One of Saffie’s favourite acts, dance troupe Diversity – best known for winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 – was confirmed to perform at the event next month, along with singer Rowetta, who has previously recorded and toured with the Happy Mondays.
Mike has confirmed that he is in talks with all the acts set to perform in attempt to secure them for the 2019 event.
He also insisted that many local people would still celebrate Saffie’s 10th birthday “in true Leyland style”.
It is not yet known if the 2019 event to celebrate Saffie’s birthday will be held in Leyland, but Mike said said that more than 30,000 people were expected to attend. For more information, or to keep updated, visit the Saffie Rose Roussos Facebook page.