Bench memorial for blast victims

A MEMORIAL bench for two women killed in the Manchester terror attack is to be placed in their local park.

Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 43, from Royton, were standing in the foyer of the Arena waiting for their daughters when the blast detonated.

Family and friends reported them missing and launched a desperate appeal on social media to find them, but tragically both had been fatally wounded.

Tributes flooded in for Alison and Lisa and now their community wants to honour them permanently by placing a memorial bench in Royton Park.

A fundraising appeal to raise cash for the seat was launched by Keeley Berry, which has already raised a quarter of the £1,000 target.

Keeley posted on the page: “I’m raising money to have a memorial ‘bee’ bench made for Royton Park in memory of Alison Howe and Lisa Lees, two of our local Roytonians sadly killed in the Manchester terror attack.

“The bench will be situated in a Royton Park, with their names, and a number of bees around the bench to represent Manchester and remember those who we’ve lost.

“We will stand strong, stay united, and remember them, and love.

“Love with everything we have.”

To donate to the fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/Roytonmemorialbeebench.