School’s tribute to ‘beautiful little girl’

As the names of those who lost their lives in the Manchester terror attack began to be revealed, tributes have been paid to the victims.

Saffie Roussos, 8, was described by the head teacher at her school in Preston as a “beautiful little girl”.

Georgina Callander, who was studying health and social care at Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire, was remembered as a “lovely young student”.

Friends of John Atkinson, 26, from Bury, spoke of being “devastated”.

Donations to support the families of those injured and killed have poured in following the atrocity.

The Manchester Evening News, the city’s local paper, has raised around £700,000, while a GoFundMe page to raise money for Georgina Callander’s family to help with the funeral and memorial costs has raised more than £8,000.

Paying tribute to Saffie in a statement released through Lancashire County Council, Chris Upton, head teacher of Tarleton Community Primary School, said: “News of Saffie’s death in this appalling attack has come as a tremendous shock to all of us and I would like to send our deepest condolences to all of her family and friends.

“The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.

“Saffie was simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.

“We are a tight-knit school and wider community and will give each other the support that we need at this difficult time.”

Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire, spoke of its “enormous sadness” after hearing of Ms Callander’s death.

A spokesman said the teenager was on the second year of her health and social care course.

“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s family, friends, and all of those affected by this loss,” the college said.

“We are offering all available support possible at this tragic time, including counselling with our dedicated student support team.”

Confirming she had died from her injuries, Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy said: “Georgina was a lovely young student who was very popular with her peers and the staff and always made the most of the opportunities she had at the school.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Georgina’s family at this terrible time, and we think especially of her brothers Harry and Daniel who were also former students of the school.”

Friends of Mr Atkinson set up a fund for his family, which received more than £1,000 in less than an hour after being established.

“John was one in a million and loved by so many,” wrote Hayley Turk, who organised the fund through website GoFundMe. “A true gentleman,” she added. “Absolutely heart-broken,” wrote a contributor, who gave her name as Kimberley Bowker.

His Facebook account has been “memorialised”, a process only made possible by verified family members contacting Facebook directly.