Paralysed Chorley dad speaks out about Manchester Arena attack

Martin Hibbert, 46, has spoken out on the sixth anniversary of the bombing, which is today (May 22).

Martin and his daughter Eve, then aged 14, were six metres away from suicide bomber Salman Abedi when he detonated his device in the attack following an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena.

He suffered a severed spinal cord from shrapnel in the bombing, which left 22 dead and hundreds injured.

Six years on, Martin said the anniversary is still tough for him and his family and he plans to spend the day away with them.

He said: “There has been a huge change in my life. I am in a wheelchair now and life is not the same.

“When the anniversary comes around I try not to think about it. There is a lot of media and wherever you look it is there.

“I can’t wait for the day to be over and if I could hibernate for the day I could. You just have to get through it and realise that tomorrow is another day.”

Martin says he tries to focus on the positives, including the fundraising he has done for charity.

According to Martin, he has raised nearly one million pounds for charity the Spinal Injuries Association, after he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year.

Martin said: “I am trying to use that night as a positive by focusing on my fundraising.

“I have done a lot of positive things in the last years. Hopefully I have survived for a reason and it is to change people’s live and raise money for charity.

“I don’t waste a day and try to live life to the full.”

In March, MI5 was criticised after a the public inquiry into the atrocity revealed it could have been stopped if intelligence received months before had been acted on more swiftly.

Two pieces of information about the suicide bomber were assessed at the time by the security service to not relate to terrorism.

The security service’s director general, Ken McCallum, issued a public apology after the public inquiry.

Martin says he feels “let down” by authorities and hopes they can at least learn something from the tragedy.

He said: “We have been let down by everybody and there has been no help or support from anybody.

“It hurts that people who were paid to protect us did not do their jobs properly.

“Hopefully, the emergency services and MI5 can learn a very big lesson that if you stop for two minutes the worst can happen.”

“Hopefully it will stop another atrocity happening in the future.”

Saffie Roussos, from Leyland, was the youngest person killed in the attack.

Saffie Roussos (Image: NQ)

Her dad Andrew Rousso has instructed solicitors to look into suing the security service.

A fundraiser has been launched to create a permanent memorial for Saffie in her home town.

At the time of writing, £748 has been raised to create “an area of reflection” where people can sit and remember her. The aim is to raise £1,500.

The fundraiser says: “Before Saffie died she lived in Leyland where she made beautiful memories like climbing up the lamppost outside The Plaice, doing gymnastics for the customers who entered, going around on her bike and scooter, playing with her friends.

“Her captivating smile, big brown eyes and larger than life personality caused a lasting impression on everyone who saw her

“The idea of this fundraiser is to create a memorial for Saffie, the place where she laughed and played and lived and loved.

“An area of reflection where people can sit and remember her. A beautiful tribute to a gorgeous little soul.”

45-year-old Michelle Kiss, from Whalley, was another victim of the attack. Her daughter Millie, then aged 11, was with Mrs Kiss when the bomb went off.

In the past her son, Dylan, said the anniversary brought back painful memories for the family.

Train company Northern held a minute’s silence for in memory of the victims, at 12pm today.

The Railway Chaplain offered a short prayer at the memorial for the victims’ families and survivors. Flowers will also be laid throughout the day. 

Northern will also observe a minute’s silence at 10.31pm - the exact time of the attack.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern said: “On Monday, we will pay our respects once more to those who lost their lives in the attack on Manchester Arena.

“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragedy and especially with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones.”

To donate to Saffie's fundraiser visit: https://gofund.me/2c20a7c7