Launch party of Liv's Trust CIO will be 'Olivia's last birthday party' says her Papa, Steve Goodman, after receivi

The 15-year-old, who would have been 16 on Tuesday, is being remembered by her father's side of the family through an arts trust which will launch tomorrow.

Liv's Trust CIO has been set up by Steve Goodman, Olivia's step-grandad, who knew her all her life, with the aim of providing support for under 25s in Greater Manchester who want to pursue music and dance.

Mr Goodman, who was known as Olivia's 'Papa', said: "We hope it will be her last birthday party. She had already planned it. She organised for five friends to come to our house and we would go out for the evening."

The launch will see friends and family of Olivia come together for a big dance party. Many performers who danced with Olivia will showcase their routines, including one which will be soundtracked by the last recording Olivia made, a cover of Kate Bush's This Woman's Work.

Mr Goodman, said: "We're going to make it a party night for her.

"The charity itself is a living memorial to her. She wouldn't want her name on a wall, she would love that we are helping children. It was what she was about, even her school reports from St Peter's Primary School, were saying what a thoughtful girl she is, always thinking of others first.

"She wanted to be a music or dance teacher, but she also wanted to do a beauty course at college.

"She was always doing her make up and hair.

"She said, 'If I've got that, I've something to fall back on' and that was at 15 years old."

The party is being held at the Elizabethan Suite, which Bury Council has given the trust use of for free.

Council leader, Rishi Shori will be there on the night as a special guest. He said: "The Manchester Arena bombing affected so many people and touched everyone’s hearts. Bury, and the nation, have really come together in solidarity since the tragedy, to promote peace and to support the families who lost relatives in going forward.

"I am honoured to be invited to the launch of Liv’s Trust on Saturday."

Despite being planned as a party for Olivia, the trust has been inundated with gifts for prizes at fundraising events so a raffle is being held on the night to support the trust.

Help came from a chance meeting with the brother of a survivor from the terrible night in May.

Mr Goodman asked Phil Leaver, the manager at Evans Halshaw Ford in Croston Road, Bury, if he could put logo stickers on his car as it is a leased vehicle.

Mr Leaver told Mr Goodman Evans Halshaw would fund it and if they would not, he would pay for it himself.

Mr Goodman said: "I came in to ask because the car is a lease and would it be okay if I was to put a sticker on it and I didn’t know if it would cause damage. The manager, Phil, took me in and said ‘Yeah, course you can’.

"He even said if Evans Halshaw wouldn’t pay for it, he’d pay for it himself.

"I had just asked for it on the bonnet but he said ‘If you just have it there, people will only see it when it’s parked, but if it’s on the doors they’ll see it as it drives past’.

"They did all that for me.

"We both cried — it’s very emotional. It’s still raw with us and it doesn’t take much to make us cry. I’ve been getting the charity running and keeping busy doing these things, but you can get a leaflet through the door about Christmas events and the tears just flow because she won’t be with us at Christmas."

Mr Goodman's white Ford has been decked out with stickers promoting Liv's Trust with the logo of Olivia dancing.

Mr Leaver, aged 55, who lives in Simonstone, said: "It was something quite close to my heart, my sister was 15 foot away from the bomber. They are kindred spirits and we wanted to help.

"My sister survived and she wasn't too badly injured, but she still has the scars to show for it.

"We wanted to help him and keep it at the forefront of people's minds. People shouldn't forget."

Mr Goodman and Mr Leaver's sister are hoping to meet later in the month and Evans Halshaw has also donated prizes to the launch night raffle.