Manchester Reacted To One Act Of Hate With Thousands Of Acts Of Love

Getty

Today, Manchester stands united in the face of a barbaric terror attack which killed 22 people and injured 59.

At 10:35pm on Monday 22 May, a lone terrorist detonated a suicide bomb as crowds of Ariana Grande fans, many of whom are just children, exited Manchester Arena after curtains were called on this leg of her Dangerous Woman tour.

While the emergency services valiantly went into overdrive, locals showed their resilience in the face of evil, offering shelter and transport to those stranded in the city centre last via the hashtag #roomsformanchester.

Twitter

Now, as the names of victims are being released by the authorities, including eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos and 18-year-old Georgina Callandar, the mourning city has united against terror with these acts of kindness.

Rescue mission

Paula Robinson rescued 50 children who were separated from their parents in the aftermath of the attack. The 48-year-old posted her mobile number on social media so worried parents could contact their children, as they waited in the safety of a nearby Premier Inn.

Many central Manchester hotels also opened their doors to all and any stranded victims.

Bravery of strangers

Chris Parker, a 33-year-old homeless man who has been living rough in Manchester for a year was begging in the Manchester Arena foyer when the blast hit. Acting on instinct, the brave man went to the aid of the injured – and later described the horrific moment an elderly woman died in his arms.

Speaking to the MEN, he added: “I saw a little girl. I wrapped her in one of the merchandise T-shirts and I said ‘where is your mum and daddy?’ She said ‘my dad is at work, my mum is up there’.” Parker believes the girl’s mother died from her injuries.

PA

Blood donors

There are queues of people lining up to donate blood to the injured parties, despite the NHS announcing earlier today that they have ample supplies to treat patients.

The NHS tweeted:

We do have all the blood required for hospital patients at the present time…If you have an appointment to give blood in the next few days, please do your best to keep it, particularly if you are blood group O negative.

Free brews

Mancunians have been sharing brews with the emergency services who have worked through the night to keep the survivors safe. As police are stationed at cordons around the city, Rabbi Cohen of Chabad Manchester City centre has been delivering cups of tea as the epitome of Mancunian unity.

Other locals establishments, including the Manchester University SU, are offering free brews all day for the brave servicemen and women as well as anyone affected by the terror attack.

Safe journey home

Local taxi drivers, like AJ Singh and Sam Arshad’s StreetCars Manchester drivers have spent the night following the blast driving the stranded to safety, and the injured to Manchester hospitals, manoeuvring through the carnage and police cordons after public transport was cancelled.

Singh told Channel 4 News:

We should come out and show whoever’s done this that it doesn’t matter because Manchester, we’re glue, and we stick together when it counts.

Messages of solidarity

Buildings in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter have been emblazoned with messages of solidarity, as people remain defiant in the face of evil from their rooftops.

One sign read: “WE ARE MANCHESTER WE STAND TOGETHER”

#PrayForManchester

The hashtag #prayformanchester is trending on Twitter. While many Mancuians don’t need prayers, but rather need answers as to how and why this evil attack happened, the support of many is overwhelming.

The Dean of Manchester Cathedral – where a bomb squad conducted a precautionary controlled explosion in the aftermath of the attack – held prayers for those of faith who are affected.

Tributes flood social media

Public figures with ties to Manchester, such as David Beckham and Liam Gallagher, as well as the comedian James Corden have shared touching tributes to the Mancunian spirit.

A statement from the newly-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham says Manchester is ‘grieving, but we are strong’ and he added it will be business as usual as far as possible.

A vigil was scheduled in Manchester’s Albert Square at 6pm this evening in which we will remember those 22 people who lost their lives, including Georgina, and pay our respects to anyone affected.

These random acts of kindness offer hope and lightness in a dark time for the city of Manchester, as innocent civilians’ lives and civil liberties are threatened.

Instagram/Georgina.Bethany

Manchester – the proud city of the worker bee – will not be defeated by this cowardly act of terrorism. Meanwhile Greater Manchester Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack, the worst Britain has seen for a decade.

Police are encouraging anyone with footage from the scene to upload it at ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk or ukpoliceimageappeal.com. Other information can be reported to the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

Francesca Donovan

A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.