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Mother of Manchester bombing victim Olivia Campbell defiantly addresses crowd at emotional vigil

Olivia Campbell was among the first victims of Monday’s attack to be named (Picture: Mercury)
Olivia Campbell was among the first victims of Monday’s attack to be named (Picture: Mercury)

The mother of one of the Manchester bombing victims has defiantly urged the people of Manchester to not let the attack ‘beat any of us’.

Olivia Campbell, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was one of the first victims to be named in the aftermath of Monday night’s attack.

Last night, it emerged that she had sent a sweet text message to her boyfriend only minutes before the bombing – telling him that she was having ‘so much fun’ at the Ariana Grande concert where the blast occurred.

15-year-old Olivia Campbell’s death was confirmed by her mother on Facebook
15-year-old Olivia Campbell’s death was confirmed by her mother on Facebook

Now, her mother has paid a heartfelt tribute to Olivia at a vigil in Bury – and urged Manchester to remain defiant.

Fighting back the tears, Charlotte Campbell told the crowd: ‘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.’

HOW CAN YOU HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE MANCHESTER TERROR ATTACK?

  • In the aftermath of the Manchester terror attack, two huge fundraising drives have been launched by both Manchester Council and the Manchester Evening News.

  • The first is the We Love Manchester fund, established by Manchester City Council and the British Red Cross. You can donate by visiting www.redcross.org.uk/manchester, calling 0300 456 4999, or at British Red Cross shops

  • The second is the Manchester Evening News appeal, which has launched on JustGiving. It has raised a staggering £1 million in over 24 hours.

A friend hugs Charlotte after the emotional speech (Picture: Mercury)

As she received huge praise from the crowd, Olivia’s made an impassioned plea for unity.

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She said: ‘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.’