Teddy bear tributes to victims of Arena bombing given new homes
ALMOST 2,000 teddy bears left as tributes to children and others killed in the Manchester Arena bombing are to go to new homes with needy youngsters.
The teddies and soft toys carpeted St Ann’s Square in the city centre, all left in heartfelt remembrance of the 22 innocent victims of the terror attack on May 22.
This week they will be distributed to children via charities in Greater Manchester, including Wood Street Mission and The Toy Appeal, and also by Bearly Loved and The Teddy Trust which work internationally.
They had been left in the square out of respect to all those affected by the bomb, before being removed by volunteers.
Manchester based shoemakers Timpsons stepped forward, storing all the items until they dried out before an army of volunteers from the Women’s Institute (WI) washed them all and repaired individual teddies ready for their new homes.
Judith Suckling, vicepresident, Old Trafford Wonder Women WI, said: “As an organisation we really wanted to do anything we could to help after the bomb.”
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people after he detonated his homemade device as fans streamed out of the Arena following an Ariana Grande pop concert on May 22.
Meanwhile, families of victims have been treated to a day out at Disneyland Paris. Charlotte Hodgson, whose daughter Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, died in the attack, and husband Paul were among those who joined stars Michelle Keegan, Mark Wright and John Bishop and cast members of Hollyoaks on the day trip.
We really wanted to do anything we could to help after the bomb. Judith Suckling, vice-president, Old Trafford Wonder Women WI.