On 22nd May 2017, Lily & I attended the Ariana Grande concert. Lily was 9 Years old.

Lily and I were fortunate enough to miss the foyer doors by literally seconds, another 20 seconds and it would of been very different for us, we felt the full force of the impact of the bomb, the sound and vibration.  Along with others, at first I thought it was a gunman, it is not a sound that you can ever describe, unless you were there.

As a mother I will never forget our daughter looking
up at me and screaming “I don’t want to die Mummy" the fear in her eyes tattooed in my memory forever.

And Lily will never forget what she witnessed and felt.

There will never be a fear like it when you are literally running for your life, holding your child, like I and many did that night, adults and children scrambling to get out. I will never forget those images in my head.

BUT...we always agreed it would never define us. Our 9 year old daughter has grown in the last 5 years into a beautiful confident young lady and she has achieved so so much after suffering with very serious PTSD in the year that followed.

I should of been taking part in the run the following Saturday in 2017 but at Lily's request I didn't and I admit I was a little scared myself so I didn't take part. We have since always made the day about us and spend it together doing something special in Manchester.

It feels right though this year as it marks the 5 year anniversary to do it now (and for those you know me and know how much I hate running) but it is the right thing to do.

But Jack also wanted to get involved. So Jack and I are running the kids run on Saturday 21st May and I am (ouch) running the 10k on Sunday.

This is for the 22 who lost their lives, for their families & friends and for all who were injured, and are living with life changing disabilities, and for all the people who live with the mental scars from that night.

We have picked this charity as it is for children who have suffered bereavement, and is special to Saffie's parents. All the deaths affected us. Saffie's being so close to home with Lily around the same age at the time, and I am thankful everyday we have a different story to tell.

Please if it is only £1 please sponsor Jack, I am not bothered about my run, but the more we can raise for this Manchester based charity it will be amazing.

Thank you so much and for all the support our family & friends have given us since 2017.