Mum of teenage bomb blast victim Georgina Callander breaks down in tears as thousands across the country attend emotional vigils for the 22 killed in nail bomb massacre
Leslie Callander was joined by around 1,000 people paying their respects at a memorial event in Tarleton, near Leyland, Lancs
THE heartbroken mum of a teen killed in the Manchester terror attack broke down in tears yesterday as she attended a vigil for the victims.
Leslie Callander was joined by around 1,000 people at the emotional memorial event in Tarleton, near Leyland, Lancs.
Her daughter Georgina was among the first of the 22 innocent people killed in the horrific attack at Manchester Arena to be named.
Georgina's death was reported by her former school, which posted a photo of her in her school uniform on its website and described her as a "lovely" and "very popular" young woman.
The devastated mum sobbed as she clutched a blanket in the village’s Mark Square – known for being the scene of happier gatherings like Christmas concerts and carol singing.
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Leslie laid a single yellow flower on the tarmac in front of friends, family and villagers who had come to pay their own respects.
When approached for a tribute to her daughter Georgina, Leslie replied: "No, I can't."
Eight pink balloons were released into the sky as attendees laid flowers and lit candles for Georgina, 18, and tragic Saffie Roussos, eight, who also lost her life.
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Addressing the droves of villagers, Bishop John Goddard told them: "Why have we be drawn together here today?
"We are here to remember Georgina and Saffie – but also to remember their families.
"And to also remember those who went to an event thought to be a joyous occasion with mums and daughters.
"Sadly, however, it was a killing field."
Parents held tightly to their loved ones at the vigil as other children cried in each other's arms.
Describing the terrorist attack, Bishop John said: "It was an abhorrent of evil. It was not right … this horror should have never been."
Leslie was joined by people up and down the country who held their own vigils to remember the victims, including in Manchester.
Lu Bowen, 40, brought flowers to lay as a mark of respect, and said it has been a "horrific" day.
Standing alongside her teenage daughter Lucy, she said: "We watched it all unfold last night.
"We felt we wanted to show a sense of solidarity and commitment that Manchester always has.
"When the chips are down, Manchester always pulls together."
Shane Morton, 46, from Manchester was among the hundreds who attended the vigil.
He said: "As a city we've faced terror before.
"But with the IRA there were no casualties.
"This is completely different. It's heart-wrenching.
"They targeted civilians so we had to come down tonight to show our support.
"We're standing together and putting our middle finger up to these people."
Retired Steve Hughes, 70, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said: "It's a great idea to do this.
"People help people in this city especially after such a terrible thing that happened.
"This city has always been about community but that's going now.
"There are more and more individuals and less of the spirit that was around when I was young. "
An emotional crowd gathered around Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre to pay their respects, and well-wishers also gathered for a vigil outside Belfast City Hall.
The Bishop of Manchester David Walker also commented on the "unbelievable turnout".
He said: "We are the many. We are Manchester.
"We are a successful world city.
"You cannot defeat us because love in the end always conquers hate."
Throughout the half-hour vigil the crowd repeatedly applauded respectfully.
After it was brought to a close the square reverberated to the impromptu chant of "Manchester, Manchester."
Lauren said: "We just wanted to show our solidarity.
"We wanted to show that we are a strong city and we're not going to fall apart.
"We're going to stand together."
Aileen added: "That something like this could happen so close to us was hard to believe.
Twenty two people were killed and 59 injured in the atrocity at the Manchester Arena.
Greater Manchester Police's Ian Hopkins said: "As your Chief Constable of Greater Manchester and as a father I cannot begin to imagine how anyone can carry out such an unthinkable act - murdering 22 people and injuring 59 - and my thoughts and those of my colleague are very much with their families at this incredibly difficult time."
"Last night, in the most atrocious circumstances, the people of Greater Manchester showed the world how much we care.
"How much we care about each other and how much we were prepared to help those in need.
"And I've heard some tremendous stories of doctors coming in to support and police officers, ambulance workers giving up their days off turning up to help those in need."
Before a minute's silence local poet Tony Walsh read his 2013 tribute to the city - This Is The Place.
His voice cracking with emotion, he had to pause a number of times to compose himself before he finished the rousing performance.
The wordsmith was greeted with wild cheers from the crowd when he began: "This is the place in the north west of England.
"It's ace.
It's the best and the songs that we sing from the stands, from our bands set the whole planet shaking."
It continues: "And we make you feel at home and make you feel welcome.
"We make something happen and we can't seem to help it.
"It also includes the lines: "In the face of a challenge we always stand tall.
"Mancunians in unions delivered it all such as housing and libraries and health.
"We won't take defeat and we don't want your pity because this is a place we stand together."