CLOSE school friends of Olivia Campbell-Hardy led emotional tributes to the teenager, as balloons were released outside her school in her memory.
The pupils at Tottington High School stood hand-in-hand, or with arms around each other, for a minute’s silence to remember the 15-year-old who died in Monday’s terror attack in Manchester, which killed 22 people including Olivia.
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Twenty-two balloons, 21 pink and one blue — Olivia’s favourite colour, were released after a minute’s silence was observed in front of the school in Laurel Street, Tottington, where dozens of bouquets of flowers and messages have been left.
Garfieh Cheung, aged 15, had known Olivia from primary school, and the pair regularly played music together.
Garfieh, who has written Olivia's initials on his guitar, said: "I would play guitar and she would sing, she was a very talented singer.
"One of our favourite songs was 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis Presley, I've been playing it a lot and every time I hear it I tear up."
And in a similar gesture, William Percival, aged 15, has had Olivia's initials stitched into his football boots.
William said: "I am never going to forget her, she has always been a very special person to me. Whenever I was down she would pick me straight back up."
Friends Kaitlan Chadwick and Talitha Moses, both also aged 15, arranged a memorial for Olivia inside the school hall, complete with a book of condolences.
Talitha said: "We felt like we had to do something because she was always there for us.
Brian Duffy, headteacher at Tottington High School, said: “This has been a very, very difficult week for many people in Greater Manchester and beyond, but it has hit home hard because of the impact here at Tottington High School.
School's tribute to 'delightful' Olivia Campbell who died in the Manchester attack
"We think especially at this time of Olivia's mum, Charlotte, and all her family who are grieving.
"Olivia will always be remembered as one of the bright lights of Totty High and we will ensure in our way she will be remembered forever.”
Words from St Paul were then read by the Rev Hugh Bearn, of St Anne’s Church, Tottington.
Mr Duffy added that the thoughts of everyone at the school were also with Adam Lawler, Olivia's best friend who is recovering in hospital from 'life-changing' injuries he suffered in the Manchester Arena blast.
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