Ariana Grande is set to become the first honorary citizen of Manchester for helping to raise millions of pounds for the victims of the Manchester terror attack.
The city council has put forward plans for a new scheme that will recognise outstanding contributions to the city, with Grande being the first recipient.
The US singer organised the One Love Manchester concert on June 4 in aid of the victims of the bomb attack in which 22 people died.
The all-star concert, which was held at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, raised almost £3 million and its broadcast is the most-watched British television programme so far this year.
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The concert was held less than two weeks after the attack happened at Grande’s gig at the Manchester Arena on May 22.
Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made bomb in the arena’s foyer after Ariana Grande‘s concert had finished.
The council’s new scheme can grant honorary citizenship to anyone from outside Greater Manchester.
Council leader Sir Richard Leese said that many people would already consider Grande to be ‘an honorary Mancunian’.
The BBC has reported him as saying:
This seems a fitting moment to update the way we recognise those who make noteworthy contributions to the life and success of our city.
We’ve all had cause to be incredibly proud of Manchester and the resilient and compassionate way in which the city, and all those associated with it, have responded to the terrible events of 22 May – with love and courage rather than hatred and fear.
He added that Grande had ‘exemplified this response’.
The proposals will go before the council on July 12.
