The aspiring popstar was one of 22 people who died when terrorist Salman Abedi detonated a bomb in Manchester arena after an Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.
The parents of 15-year-old terror attack victim Olivia Campbell have paid tribute to their daughter less than half-a-mile from where she was killed.
The aspiring popstar was one of 22 people who died when Salman Abedi detonated an explosive device after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena on Monday night.
Olivia’s weeping mother Charlotte Campbell and stepfather Paul Hodgson said goodbye to their daughter and paid tribute to other victims in St Ann’s square.
The couple led a bikers convoy from their home town of Bury into central Manchester.
Mrs Campbell was sporting a poignant new bumblebee tattoo, a symbol of the city that has been used to raise money for the victims of the tragedy.
Tattoo artists across the city have been offering the design for £50, with all the profits going to the Crowdfunder appeal. Ms Campbell’s bee had her daughter’s name and birth date written across her heart.
At an earlier vigil in Bury Ms Campbell addressed the crowd, urging them not to let the atrocity ‘beat any of us’.
She said: I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us – for being here, for giving us your support, for sharing her everywhere.
‘This is such a hard time for us, I had to come, I didn’t know what to do, I don’t know where to be, I don’t know what to do. I just knew – something told me I had to come here.’
‘As a family, we’re united, we’re standing strong. I ask her friends, strangers, relatives to do the same. Please stay together, don’t let this beat any of us, please. Don’t let my daughter be a victim.’
A minute silence was held across the country this morning to remember victims of Monday’s atrocity.
The silence, which fell at 11am, also marked the nation’s solidarity with the 119 who were injured in the blast, as well as others affected by the atrocity.
Crowds gathered at well-known sites in the UK, including London ‘s Parliament and Trafalgar Square.
In Manchester thousands of residents gathered at St Ann’s Square to honour the victims of the terror attack.
Following the minute’s silence they began applauding, many wiping away tears, as dignitaries lay flowers among the hundreds of bouquets left for the victims.
There were several shouts and chants of ‘We love Manchester’ before a lone woman in the crowd began singing Oasis’ hit ‘Don’t look back in anger.’
Her voice clearly travelled across the silent crowd and after a few seconds, one by one, other people began joining in, until the whole crowd was singing.
Lord Mayor of Manchester Eddy Newman, council leader Sir Richard Leese, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith all attended the memorial event, along with members of the public and Mancunian former boxer Ricky Hatton.
Hundreds of people gathered outside Greater Manchester Police headquarters for the minute of silence, with crowds pouring out of nearby buildings to join the officers.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins asked those gathered to spend a minute ‘reflecting’ on the events of Monday night.
‘I’d like you to also think about those that still lie in our hospitals, some very critically injured. Think of them and their families, ‘ he said.
He also asked people to reflect on the ‘great work’ of all the emergency services in responding to the attack, hailing their ‘true professionalism’.
He thanked everyone for ‘showing the community strength that exists’, adding that it sent a message to victims’ families that ‘we are standing here with them’.
The silence at GMP HQ began and ended with a whistle, with the crowds applauding before they walked back to their offices.
Police officers stationed at suicide bomber Salman Abedi’s last known address paused their duties to observe the minute’s silence.
Uniformed officers guarding the cordon still in place in Elsmore Road, Fallowfield, removed their caps and helmets at 11am and stood facing away from the property.
Their colleagues in forensic examination suits came out of the semi-detached property to join them in the sweltering sunshine.
Outside the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where medics fought through the night to save victims, staff stood together for a moment’s silence before breaking into spontaneous applause.
Inside, doctors and nurses paused their duties and stood on balconies overlooking the main reception.
Other police forces across the country joined in the act of remembrance, with a show of solidarity also taking place at Scotland Yard.
Court proceedings were paused at London’s Southwark Crown Court and judges, jurors, lawyers and defendants in the dock all stood in silence as a mark of respect.
Manchester’s most famous sportsman, Ricky Hatton, who was at the event, said it is one of the worst weeks in the city’s history and described the arena where the atrocity took place as his ‘second home’.
The former two-weight world boxing champion said he has had ‘many, many happy times’ at the Manchester Arena.
Mr Hatton told the Press Association: ‘My heart goes out to all the families and everyone that is connected. I’m a very proud Mancunian, but it’s absolutely heartwarming to see how Manchester has all rallied together.
‘And that’s what Manchester people are. We’re a working class city aren’t we? We’re working class people.’
He added: ‘You never expect it to be on your doorstep … Manchester Arena is like my second home. I must have had about 20 fights there over the years. I go there regularly to concerts.’
He said his ex-girlfriend was at the arena the night before, adding: ‘And just within the space of 24 hours, my kids could have lost their mum. It’s just a tragedy. And it’s nice to see the city all rallying together and staying strong at such a tragic moment.’
Mr Hatton said Manchester is ‘the greatest city in the world’ and will always be close to his heart.
He said it is ‘really one of the worst weeks, if not the worst week’ in Manchester history as he laid a floral wreath in the city centre.
The square has become a focal point since Monday’s tragedy unfolded, with scores of floral tributes, messages and signs filling the area.
