Going back – to go forward
PAIR PREPARE TO ATTEND FUNDRAISER AFTER THEY FLED BOMB
A DAD who fled the Manchester bomb with his young daughter has said he will return to the city for Sunday’s fundraising concert in an effort to give her “closure”.
Jason Gosling, from Benton, said he would “never forget” the look of fear on 11-year-old Milly’s face as they pushed through the crowds to escape following Ariana Grande’s concert on Monday last week.
But the 43-year-old has vowed to return to Manchester as the singer holds a star-studded benefit concert in tribute to the victims of the attack.
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi blew himself up in the foyer of Manchester Arena at Grande’s concert, killing 22 people and injuring dozens more.
South Shields teenagers Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry and Gateshead student Courtney Boyle and her stepdad Philip Tron all lost their lives in the explosion.
On Tuesday afternoon, a huge fundraising effort involving several high-profile pop stars was announced, with anyone who attended the event on May 22 invited to attend, although registration for this closed yesterday.
As well as attending the event at Old Trafford cricket ground, Jason also said the family were planning to visit the memorial site in St Ann’s Square and lay flowers for those who lost their lives.
He said: “I think being able to visit the site of remembrance can help and give us some closure. “I also think the concert will help the kids move on and not be frightened to go to a concert again. “I know Milly was concerned about attending Little Mix in the winter. “I understand that for some it’s way too early, especially for those who lost loved ones and for those who may still be in hospital. “Maybe it should have been held in July or August.” This was a view shared by Northumbria University student Erin McDougle, who also survived the blast at Manchester Arena. The 20-year-old, from Blyth, said it was just “too soon”. “I don’t really want to go back to that particular area at all,” she said. “It’s a good idea but I’m quite surprised it’s happening so quickly. “It’s been such a big thing and it probably needs to settle down a bit more first. “I’m sure people will be safe, there’ll be a lot of security and everybody will have a great time and raise a lot of money. It’s just, personally, I think it’s very soon.” In the week since she escaped the attack with friend Elspeth Pywell, Erin said she has been suffering from “heightened anxiety”.
“I keep thinking things are going to explode – if I hear a loud bang I feel more easily frightened, and I feel more anxious being in public spaces.”
Erin said she would be able to attend gigs in the future but “not on that scale”.
“I’ll probably avoid arenas and stick to smaller ones instead, but I don’t want it to stop me from having a good time.”
Tickets go on sale from 10am today via Ticketmaster.
Security is expected to be tight at the event, and organisers are asking concert-goers not to attend with bags.
■■For more information on the fundraising concert, visit http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/arianagrandemanchester
I think the concert will help the kids move on and not be frightened to go to a concert again Jason Gosling