Westoe Travel is once again taking a leading role in efforts throughout South Shields to remember apprentice Chloe Rutherford and her partner Liam Curry after the couple died in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
Agency apprentice Chloe, 17, who was an aspiring singer-songwriter, and budding sportsman Liam, 19, were among the 22 people killed in the blast shortly after a performance by Ariana Grande at the arena on 22 May 2017.
The youngsters’ families have together set up the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust to honour their memories, which raises money to support young people achieve their ambitions in sport and performance. To date, more than 700 people have received grants from the trust.
Seven years on from the atrocity, Westoe Travel director Graeme Brett said: "It was a horrendous time, but the love and support we got from the travel industry will never be forgotten.
"With the support of the travel industry and the residents of South Shields, we raised more than £33,000 for the families. We will be forever grateful to everyone in travel, many who we had never met before."
On Wednesday (22 May), students and workers in the town were encouraged to wear pink and blue in memory of Chloe and Liam, who were both from South Shields, while schools and businesses have turned the streets pink and blue with colourful window displays and decorations.
Fundraising events are being held throughout the week in support of the trust; Westoe Travel is holding a raffle with the top prize being afternoon tea onboard a steam train.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the trust can do so in-store at Westoe Travel or by heading to the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust website.
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