Ormskirk Advertiser

Georgina bench unveiled at work

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APERMANENT memorial has been unveiled at the workplace of Manchester Arena bomb victim Georgina Callander.

Georgina, 18 when she died, worked part time at the Booths store in Hesketh Bank while attending Runshaw College.

The Tarleton teenager was the first victim to be named after Salman Abedi detonated a bomb after an Arianna Grande concert at the arena in May.

Her colleagues and family have now united to unveil a plaque and bench in her name outside the store where she had worked for about a year-and-a-half. Her friends at the store said she loved working there and that it was like a second home.

Booths has also paid for a puppy to be trained as guide dog, named Georgie in her honour.

The memorial was unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday morning (December 2), with family and friends joining store staff.

Representa­tives from the Booths’ board of directors and Lancashire police were also present, while the ceremony also included a performace by Hesketh Bank Brass Band.

The store manager said: “Over the summer, the family and Booths decided they wanted to do something. They were very keen to get this together and it was quite touching to be involved with it on the day.

“Because Georgina was so happy working in this environmen­t it was like a second home to her.”

Earlier this year, her mum, Lesley, revealed that Georgina had earned an unconditio­nal offer to study at for a degree in paediatric­s at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk.

Lesley said: “She was so excited about it because she’d wanted to do that since she was about 11.

“It is obviously sad for us because we were so excited for her when she got the news that she was off to uni, but we are just so proud of what she achieved.”

 ?? Lesley Callander, above, unveils the plaque to daughter, Georgina, top; left, crowds gather for the unveiling and balloon release ??
Lesley Callander, above, unveils the plaque to daughter, Georgina, top; left, crowds gather for the unveiling and balloon release
 ?? Pictures: GRAHAM MORETON Tarleton Photograph­y ??
Pictures: GRAHAM MORETON Tarleton Photograph­y
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