Manchester terror attack one year on: Father of youngest victim speaks of heartbreak at losing daughter

The father of the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena terror attack has spoken out about how losing his daughter has affected his family.

Saffie Roussos was just eight years old when she was killed by suicide bomber Salman Abedi, who blew himself up at an Ariana Grande concert one year ago.

On the anniversary of the bombing, which claimed the lives of 22 concert-goers, Saffie’s father, Andrew, said her death has changed their lives – and has affected her brother Xander, 12, profoundly.

The family has since moved from their home in Leyland, Lancashire, and Mr Roussos described how Xander had coped.

He said: ’Xander at the age of 12 has had to move to a new area, left behind his friends and started a new school – all on top of losing his baby sister.

‘What happened is going to affect him for the rest of his life but he is keeping his chin up the best he can. Xander is a remarkable young man and we are very proud of him.

‘We draw strength from each other.’

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Saffie was with her mother Lisa, 48, and her sister Ashlee Bromwich, 24, at the time of the bombing on May 22, 2017.

The family have since left their chip shop business behind because of ‘memories that are too difficult to bear’.

He said: ‘Our life, our home and our business were in Leyland and Saffie was such a huge character and a massive part of it. To go back to that without her and to have those constant memories would have been too hard.

‘Saffie spent a lot of time with customers and was known and loved in the Hough Lane area of Leyland.

‘Even walking around Tesco would have been difficult as the aisles are the same and we would have been expecting to see Saffie at every corner.

‘We don’t ever want to forget Saffie but being in Leyland the memories would have been too painful. Our job in the fish and chip shop was also a demanding one and we could not have gone back to that after Lisa’s injuries.

‘We just wanted a fresh start – not to start again. Because there is no starting over after something like this – but to move away somewhere new and do our best to support each other.’

Pop star Ariana Grande has said her thoughts remain with all those affected by the Manchester Arena bombing on the one year anniversary of the atrocity.

The 24-year-old shared a touching message on social media as the families of victims and survivors prepared to mark the anniversary.

She wrote: ‘Thinking of you all today and every day. I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day.’

The Manchester Evening News also paid tribute to the victims with a poignant front page that featured a heart made of bees and the names of the victims – with no headline.

Hundreds of those injured in the explosion, and the families of those killed, will be attending a remembrance service at Manchester Cathedral later today.

They will be joined by the Duke of Cambridge and Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as first responders to the scene, civic leaders and other national figures.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it was a day to ‘come together’, tweeting: ‘Today … we remember each of the 22 people whose lives were taken & we re-commit to supporting their families & all affected.’

The invitation-only service, held between 2pm and 3pm, will incorporate a national silence at 2.30pm, which will also be marked at UK government buildings.

Members of the public will be able to watch proceedings on a big screen in nearby Cathedral Gardens, while the service will also be screened at York Minster, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Glasgow Cathedral.

Writing in the Manchester Evening News, Prime Minister Theresa May said: ‘The targeting of the young and innocent as they enjoyed a carefree night out in the Manchester Arena on May 22 2017 was an act of sickening cowardice.

‘It was designed to strike at the heart of our values and our way of life in one of our most vibrant cities, with the aim of breaking our resolve and dividing us. It failed.

‘For such appalling acts of wickedness will do nothing but strengthen our resolve to defeat such twisted ideologies and beliefs.

‘The resilience and determination shown by this city in the 12 months since is testament to that.’

Salman Abedi, 22, detonated his device at the end of the concert with 353 people, including 175 children, around him in the foyer of the venue.

A total of 22 people were killed and more than 800 others were either physically or psychologically injured.