Manchester Arena bombing attack victims to be remembered at The Rock

The Bury shopping centre has teamed up with charity Liv’s Trust to put on a day of remembrance and reflection, as well as raising much needed funds for the cause.

Liv’s Trust, The Rock’s partner charity, was set up in memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy, from Bury, who was killed aged 15 in the attack at an Ariana Grande concert at the venue on May 22, 2017.

Tottington High School student Olivia was one of 22 people who died, including John Atkinson, 28, from Radcliffe.

Liv’s Trust aims to support young people with their music and dance ambitions.

And on Saturday, May 18, just four days before the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attack, the Liv’s Trust Charity Day will be held at The Rock.

The Rock Shopping Centre (Image: The Rock)

Running from 11am until 3pm, the event will showcase of music and talent as well as an opportunity to remember and raise funds.

Performances by young people supported by the charity will take place during the day and the line-up includes Bury’s Encore Youth Choir, Lark Dance and those involved with the charity’s Hear Me Roar music group.

There will also be the opportunity to engage with The Manchester Survivors Choir.

They are willing to talk to anyone affected by events or anyone about coping and overcoming trauma.

Fundraising activity, including a raffle and the chance to buy a heart memento are also planned.

Sharon Goodman, Olivia’s grandma, added: “This event will ensure our 22 beautiful souls may be gone but not forgotten.

"We hope many people will join us as we reflect and raise funds.”

The Rock centre director Arnold Wilcox-Wood said: “We have been working with Liv’s Trust for almost a year and we’re always blown away by their enthusiasm and their campaign to support young people in their endeavours.

"We’re really pleased to be working with Sharon, Steve and their team on this charity day and while we know there will be some very emotive moments throughout the day, we’re hoping that our shoppers will take a moment to stop and reflect, and where possible dig deep to support this very worthy cause.”

The event will be supported by Roch Valley Radio.

Meanwhile, The Rock is also looking for a new partner charity.

The centre is looking for a local charity to team with and support with fundraising events and submissions are open from now until May 17.

To put forward a charity for consideration, the nominator must work for or be heavily involved in the charity and have its permission to enter.

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Mr Wilcox-Wood added: “We have worked closely with several charities in Bury over the years and aim to refresh this partnership each year.

“There are so many good causes out there we know it’s going to be a hugely difficult choice to pick who that partner will be and that’s why, once we have a shortlist of three charities, we will be opening it up to a public vote through our website to give the public the final say on who our charity of choice will be.”

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Once the nominations are received, a shortlist of three charities will be made by The Rock and an online vote will run for two weeks in June.

The organisation with the highest number of votes will become The Rock’s new partner charity.

The Rock’s current partner charity, Liv’s Trust, it will automatically be added to the public vote.

The charity with the most votes will become The Rock’s charity of choice from July.

To submit an application for consideration to be The Rock’s new partner charity, please click here.