An evening of music and remembrance will be held in Radcliffe next week to mark the sixth anniversary of the Manchester Arena Attack and the “22 beautiful souls” who died.
CEO of Liv’s Trust, Steve Goodwin, has extended an open invitation to anyone wanting to remember those who died in the terror attack on May 22, 2017.
Since the tragedy, family, friends and residents have been coming together to mark the anniversary and will do so once again on Monday, May 22 at St Mary’s Social Club in Radcliffe.
Liv’s Trust founder Steve is the grandad on Olivia Campbell-Hardy, who died in the Manchester Arena attack aged just 15.
He set up Liv's Trust in his granddaughter’s name as a living legacy for the “talented” and “beautiful” young girl who had a deep love for music.
He said: “As a charity, we have done so much over the years, and it is incredible how many people we have been able to help achieve their dreams.
“It is just a shame that it had to come from such a horrific tragedy.”
Liv’s Trust aims to provide support for those under 25 in Greater Manchester who want to pursue music and dance and has been helping youngsters achieve their dreams.
He said: “We have had three major breakthroughs as one of the girls who came is now on the West End, another member is performing on cruise ships and we have been helping the third who is at a top music school in London.”
The charity runs free music classes every Tuesday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm for seven to 14-year-olds who want to learn guitar, keyboard, ukulele, or even the drums.
There is also a dance teacher on hand and recently introduced DJ courses for youngsters who may not have gone to a "mainstream school" or whose education may have been impacted for whatever reason.
Steve said: “There are six places for this currently one vacancy. At the end of 16 weeks, they get an arts award and the opportunity to perform a show of their own.
“We have a lot of people coming in who are extremely shy and within weeks, you can see their confidence grow as they start to mix with each other more and come out of their shells.
“There is so much talent that we want to help nurture and grow”
In keeping Olivia’s memory alive, along with the 21 other victims, an annual remembrance event will be held on the day of the sixth anniversary.
Doors will open at 5pm and the Encore Youth Choir and Bury Community Fire Choir will be performing at 6pm.
Steve said: “Everyone is welcome to join, we will be there for most of the evening after the performances for people to stay and socialise.
“Thank you to all those who support the trust and that benefit from it as without you, there would be no Liv's Trust, which continues to be a living legacy to the beautiful Olivia Campbell-Hardy.”
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