Watch touching tribute for Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry as classmates record moving cover of Here Comes the Sun

Friday, May 22 marks the third anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing, in which South Shields couple Chloe, 17, and Liam, 19, were tragically taken.

To pay tribute, friends and classmates - who were studying music with Chloe at Newcastle College - have recorded a moving cover of The Beatles’, Here Comes the Sun, to raise much needed funds for the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust.

The trust was set up in memory of Chloe and Liam to help other young people achieve their dreams in performance and sport.

On what has become known as Pink and Blue Day, people across the borough and beyond will be remembering them on Friday.

Chloe’s ex-classmates would usually meet up at the memorial tree they planted in the college grounds and spend the day together.

But due to the coronavirus lockdown, as with many of the couple’s loved ones, they will be remembering them from their homes instead.

“We all found it extremely difficult to process and accept losing them in the way we did,” said Chloe’s friend, Sam Harris from South Shields.

“As a close knit group already, we clung to each other for comfort during the early days and the bond we have is still as strong today.”

She continued: “The anniversary is always a beautiful, yet emotional day for all of us. Sadly, this year, it is not possible to spend it together, so instead, as we are all local musicians, we decided it would be great to put a song and video together in Chloe and Liam’s memory.”

The 18 participants recorded themselves individually at home before editing the final video together.

The full link will go live on Friday at 10.31am.

“Here Comes the Sun was chosen as a poignant reminder of hope during strange times and also during the dark days following the Manchester Arena bombing,” continued Sam.

“We wanted to pick a song that wasn’t sad and was a bit happier and uplifting.”

“We sent it to their families and they were overwhelmed with emotion. They appreciate every gesture from everyone, but because Chloe was a musician herself they were so excited by it.

“We just want to remember them exactly as they were, ridiculously happy, they loved life and lived in the moment. We’re just taking a page out of their book and living our lives that way.

“Chloe brought us together and she continues to do so now and the video is a perfect example of that.”

A spokesperson for the families said: “It’s an absolutely beautiful tribute to Chloe and Liam and we are overwhelmed at how they have come together during this awful time of covid 19 to do something so precious. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

The family are encouraging everyone to remember Chloe and Liam by turning social media pink and blue on Friday and to raise a glass to the couple at 10.31pm.

You can donate here

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