This past week like many I haven’t been able to stop thinking about all the victims of the Manchester attack on Monday 22nd. If I’m honest I’ve been a bit lost for words on what to say about it all week as nothing seems to come close to covering it. To see all the families who have been affected and lost someone close to them from such a horrific attack is just devastating. My prayers and love go to everyone affected by it.
One thing that I have been slightly amazed at though is how much the country and the world have come together to rise above the terror. There have been so many acts of kindness and hearing so many stories of people who did everything they could to help really restores your faith in humanity.
From a homeless man, Stephen Jones who was sleeping rough near the arena when the blast woke him up and instead of running for his own safety he stayed and went to see how he could help all the wounded. His act of kindness has been repaid by Dave Sullivan Jr. who tracked him down through social media and is helping him with accommodation and a charity that helps homeless people get back into work and society.
To the morning after where North East based company Blueline Taxis put out a post to say that they would send taxis to pick anyone from the North East up who were in Manchester who had been caught up in the attack and were struggling to get home and bring them back to their home completely free of charge.
While these are just two examples of all the kindness we have seen this week it just shows how a kind gesture can go a long way and bring a bit of light and hope in dark times.
It has really been amazing to see the whole country come together to offer support for the victims, their families and all those affected to show that no one is alone and the strength and unity of people will rise above.
Countries across the world have also showed their support by lighting up iconic landmarks with the Union Flag including the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Brisbane’s Story Bridge in Australia, The Orlando Eye in Florida USA and the Eiffel Tower going completely dark in Paris.
With the world coming together it is so awful to also hear of more terror attacks that have happened this week including in Egypt and Afghanistan, I really pray that peace can be found in countries all around the world where unfortunately more and more attacks are happening.
I have also seen some shocking pieces of journalism covering the horrendous attack but luckily this has been outweighed by all the heart-warming stories coming out of Manchester and indeed many other cities spreading support, light and love.
My thoughts are also with Ariana Grande, who had just come off stage after her concert when the bomb happened. It is reported by many outlets including The Independent that she has offered to pay for the funerals of the 22 people who lost their lives. This is such an amazing gesture and so sad at the same time as it implies she feels a need to support her fans and families who tragically lost their life. She released a statement on Friday in which she stated she will return to Manchester to play a benefit concert in order to raise money for victims and their families. I think this is such a brave and positive way of going forward and I’m really pleased for her that she will be back to performing so soon after this horrendous incident.
There is so much to say and at the same time it’s hard to find the right words. It is so heart breaking to see all of the 22 people many that were so young that lost their lives at what should have been the happiest of times. I pray for the victims, their families and everyone affected by the tragedy.
Photo Credits: http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/24/how-to-update-your-facebook-profile-with-the-manchester-heart-6658922/ (sourced through google images)
A link to a just giving page set up to help the victims: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester
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