South Shields is planning numerous events to mark the fifth anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people, including local travel agent Chloe Rutherford and her boyfriend Liam Curry.
A service will be held on Sunday 22 May in front of South Shields Town Hall from 10am, ending at 10.31 with a minute’s silence.
A memorial bench is erected in front of the Town Hall where family and friends can leave flowers to mark special occasions for Chloe, who worked at Westoe Travel, and Liam.
The couple’s families have set up The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust to help young people reach their potential in sport and performance.
Events being held in the town to raise money for the trust include local brewery One More Than Two donating all profits from a special Chloe and Liam IPA (Indian Pale Ale).
Local dance groups will hold a charity dance gala on 26 June at Harton Academy, a gala dinner will be held at the Hotel Gateshead on 9 July, a golf day will be held at South Shields Golf Club on 3 June and a charity football match will be held at Harton Welfare on 3 July with three games followed by a concert with local performers.
Businesses will be decorating their windows in pink and blue and various sponsored events are being held, while residents will be wearing pink and blue wristbands
Graeme Brett from Westoe Travel said: “It is hard to believe that it is five years since this tragic event took the lives of this beautiful young couple.
“The legacy carries on through the amazing work of their families through The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust which has so far supported over 1,000 young people to help them reach their potential in sport and performance.”
Full details of the events can be found on The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust Facebook page
