36 young people helped by Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust in memory of couple killed in Manchester Arena bombing

Chloe, 17 and Liam, 19, were among the 22 people who tragically lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bomb attack in May 2017.

As a lasting legacy to the South Shields couple, Chloe’s parents, Lisa and Mark Rutherford and Liam’s mum, Caroline Curry, founded charity The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust.

Chloe was a talented performer and Liam was a gifted cricketer who played for Marsden Cricket Club.

The charity in their memory grants bursaries to help aspiring young performers and sportspeople on their way to fulfilling their potential.

Now the Trust has confirmed that it has supported 36 young people in the borough during 2020, handing out a combined total of more than £50,000 in bursaries.

Chloe’s mum Lisa Rutherford said: “We are amazed by the continued support from our local community, especially in such hard and uncertain times for everyone with Covid, and during such hard and difficult times for us as families dealing with the inquiry.”

The ongoing Manchester Arena inquiry is probing the background and emergency response to the attack.

Lisa continued: "Everyone continues to make sure that Chloe and Liam are never forgotten and all funds received goes on to help support others with their dreams and aspirations.”

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic all of the charity's events were cancelled this year, including those that had been planned to mark its annual Pink and Blue Day in May.

However people in the borough continued to raise funds during lockdown with events, which included a live streamed performance showcase from group Own Your Stage and Black Sheep Fitness Academy in South Shields holding a 22-hour burpee-a-thon to raise more than £3,000 for the charity.

As the pandemic continues, the Trust has said that all of its events remain cancelled indefinitely and that their bursary application process will also remain closed until further notice.

A post shared on the Trust Facebook page added: “We would like to wish all of our supporters a very Merry Christmas.”

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