THE son of Manchester Arena bombing victim Michelle Kiss said today’s anniversary of her death had brought back the pain and sadness to her family.
Eighteen-year-old Dylan said : “It’s been tough in recent days and made our loss feel really raw again
“The anniversary has brought it call back.”
His 45-year-old mother from Whalley, was one of the 22 people who died during the explosion at the Ariana Grande concert when suicide bomber Salman Abedi’s device exploded.
Her daughter Millie, then just 11, was with Mrs Kiss when the bomb went off.
Dylan said he, Millie, his father Tony and brother Elliot would be attending the commemorative ceremonies in Manchester City Centre today.
Short civic ceremonies will take place outside both Blackburn and Darwen town halls to mark the anniversary of the terror attack.
Just under 12 months ago hundreds gathered for a vigil in Mrs Kiss’s memory in the gardens by the bus station in Whalley.
There will also be 60 second silences at Burnley Town Hall, Pendle Council’s offices, and the Rossendale Council Offices at Future Park, Bacup.
Dylan said: “It’s going to be raw to go to Manchester. It will be a really tough day.
“Hopefully it will bring some closure and we can start rebuilding our lives and remember mum the right way.
“Millie has been strong. She’s a great girl and has just go on with it.”
Dylan, who works for this father’s scaffolding firm, held a charity golf day at Wilpshire Golf Club earlier this month raising £13,000 for the three hospitals in Manchester which treated the most seriously injured victims.
Eight-year-old girl Saffie Rose Roussos from Leyland and Runshaw College student Georgina Callander,18, from nearby Croston were two of the victims.
A 12-year-old St Augustine’s RC High School , Billington student Emily Murrell, and her mother sustained injuries while 32 students from Haslingden High School, were also caught up in in the incident.
Blackburn community activist Jason Walker from Roe Lee was with his 11-year-old daughter Madison at the Arena when when the bomb went off.
He said: “The anniversary has brought it all back. It has been a harrowing few days.
“ We will be going to the Blackburn ceremony.”
Mr Walker added: “We’re very grateful the council has organised it.
“I know of at least three other families from Blackburn who were there.”
Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We will be joining many places across the country which will observe a minute silence.
“It’s important that people can gather together to pay their respects and show solidarity with Manchester. Many people from our communities were personally affected. We know people from Blackburn and Darwen attended the concert themselves or had family there. Everybody is welcome.”
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