Families of South Shields sweethearts Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry have handed out over £250,000 to help more than 100 young people follow their dreams

A charity set up in memory of a tragic South Shields couple has handed out over £250,000 to help more than 100 young people follow their dreams.
By Sarah Sinclair
Published 1st Jan 2020, 06:00 GMT
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The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust was set up by the parents of Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, who were tragically killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack on May 22, 2017.

The families wanted to honour the couple through what they loved most, inspiring other young people to achieve their dreams in performance and sport.

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Now they have revealed that they have donated more than £250,000 in grants and bursaries, as they paid tribute to those who have helped them grow in the last year.

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The trust set up in memory of Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford has handed out over £250,000 and helped more than 100 young people.The trust set up in memory of Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford has handed out over £250,000 and helped more than 100 young people.
The trust set up in memory of Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford has handed out over £250,000 and helped more than 100 young people.

Since it launched, the trust has been able to support more than 100 individuals and groups, helping them fund auditions, competitions, exams and travel costs, with several incredible success stories in 2019.

South Tyneside gymnasts, Chloe Heley, 15, Ruby Oliver, 11, and Megan Neal, 13 brought home Gold and Bronze medals for Team GB in Mexico in November, after receiving a grant to help fund the trip.

Meanwhile other youngsters supported by the charity have been crowned world champions in Jiu-Jitsu, wheelchair fencing and kickboxing, with two applicants landing roles in the West End.

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“We are thrilled our kids have been able to support over 100 individuals, groups and teams to give them all a chance to follow their dreams in sport or performance,” said a spokesperson for the trust. “There has been some great success stories.”

Staff and customers from Ziggys Bar in South Shields pay tribute to the couple on Pink and Blue Day 2019.Staff and customers from Ziggys Bar in South Shields pay tribute to the couple on Pink and Blue Day 2019.
Staff and customers from Ziggys Bar in South Shields pay tribute to the couple on Pink and Blue Day 2019.

2020 will bring another year of fundraising events including a casino night, a dance show, a golf day and many will take part in the Great North Run for the charity in September.

In May, South Shields will mark the third anniversary since the attack, with the town turning pink and blue in a tribute to Chloe and Liam, followed by the trust’s annual ball in June and variety show in October.

“We couldn’t be prouder that the Chloe and Liam Together forever Trust has grown so much in the past year, with so much help from family, friends and the general public,” they added.

“Without everyone’s support we couldn’t help so many people.”

Related topics:Liam CurryChloe RutherfordSouth ShieldsMexico