I still miss him. He’s still not here and that’s not changing
REMEMBERING MANCHESTER TERROR VICTIMS
FIVE years on from the worst news imaginable, the families of the four North East people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing held events remembering their loved ones.
Emotional ceremonies have been held in South Shields - for Liam Curry, 19, and Chloe Rutherford, 17 - and in Gateshead for Philip Tron, and his partner’s daughter Courtney Boyle. Further events were held in Manchester itself too, half a decade after 22 people died following a terrorist attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.
Speaking in South Shields, Mark Rutherford paid tribute to his “baby daughter” Chloe and her “handsome prince of a boyfriend Liam”. Mark also thanked the South Shields community for the way it has supported both families since the atrocity.
He said: “On behalf of both families I would like to thank you all
for your love and support over the last five years - both to us personally and to the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust. We would like to thank the whole community for the way you have come together and showed nothing but respect to Chloe and Liam’s memorial bench and how everyone has got behind Peek-a-boo Day to help us create a lasting legacy for them both.”
Chloe and Liam were attending the concert together. Philip was with Courtney, collecting her younger sister who had been at the gig.
Thanking the local council, Mark also added: “Today my thoughts are with everyone caught up in the atrocity on May 22, 2017, who has struggled both physically and mentally and also to our fellow families who lost loved ones that night.” Mark then read the names of each of the people who have been killed five years ago.
In Gateshead, Luke David Martin led a memorial for his uncle, “bonnie lad” Philip Tron. Luke, who was close to his uncle, said: “Today is without question a difficult day. A day we shouldn’t have to do, for an atrocity that shouldn’t have happened.
“Even though today will be filled with tears and emotional memories, it should also be filled with happiness, laughter and remembrance, as we all come together for a man who brought joy to this Earth for 32 years. And it goes without question that he’ll be looking down on you all telling you
not to get upset, but to celebrate in your own ways, or in Phil’s case, probably by having a pint and a night out by the end of it.”
Luke, 20, shared memories including of holidays and of his 15th birthday with Philip, just a week before he died. He said Philip was “family-orientated” and had an “infectious laugh”. Reading the names of each of the 22 victims of the bombing, he said: “Mothers fathers, brothers, sisters, partners, uncles and cousins, grandchildren, friends and family were taken away from their families that evening. We will also remember all those who helped that atrocious night.”
Philip’s brother Andrew Tron added: “It never changes. I still miss him. He’s still not here and that’s not changing.”
Luke also had a message for the “monsters” - Salman and Hashem Abedi - responsible for the terrorist attack. He said “If anything you have lost. The monsters who carry out events like the Manchester terror attack haven’t won. They never win. Because, by the strength of our community - and the world coming together as has been shown - we have become a stronger unit.”