Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert helped to raise £18million for bombing victims

On May 22 this year a suicide bomber killed 22 people and left dozens of others in hospital with serious injury after detonating a homemade nail bomb at the exit for Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert.

Ariana, 24, was left “heartbroken” and “traumatised” by the attack and organised One Love Manchester, a benefit concert, for June 4 in order to raise money for those who had been affected.

It has now been confirmed that the concert helped to raise £18million for victims of the bombing, with it reported that families of those who lost their lives will receive around £250,000 each.

In a statement, Councillor Sue Murphy said: “The city and the world responded with such extreme kindness, generosity and solidarity in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack.

“Thanks to this we have raised more than £18 million and we were conscious that we had to get some of swiftly this to those with immediate needs. We have therefore given around a third of the total to the bereaved families and £3.5 million to those who were hospitalised after the attack.

“The payments will ensure the families benefit from the phenomenal outpouring of public support following the attack.

Bereaved relatives have already been able to claim £70,000 from the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, and it has now been announced that they will be eligible for a further £180,000.

Speaking about how the remainder of the fund will be awarded, Councillor Murphy continued: “This will be a complex and sensitive process as we will need to assess the long-term impacts of the attack.

“We will issue an update as soon as we know more.”

It has been reported that at least half of the £18million fund was raised by Ariana’s benefit concert, with the likes of Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and Little Mix performing during the three-hour show.

Ariana’s efforts were praised worldwide, with the star being made an honorary citizen of Manchester as a result of her hard work and generosity.

Confirming the news on Instagram, Ariana said of her citizenship: “Ariana wrote on Instagram: “I don’t know what to say. Words don’t suffice. I’m moved and honoured. My heart is very much still there. I love you. Thank you.”

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