MP was struck by Royton tributes

For thousands of people, Monday, May 22, 2017 would have been a date they’d have been looking forward to ever since they managed to buy tickets to see American singer Ariana Grande at Manchester’s Arena.

But that excitement and thrill was to quickly turn to shock, upset and disbelief as the Manchester Arena Attack unfolded in front of their very eyes.

The concert was sold out long before the day of the event with more than 10,000 people expected at the venue including mothers, fathers, sons and daughters.

Two people who were at the Arena at the time of the explosion and in the foyer near the man who carried out the attack were Alison Howe and Lisa Lees, two mothers from Royton who had arrived the venue moments earlier to pick up their daughters who’d been inside.

Both Alison and Lisa would be two of the 22 people who lost their lives that night.

Their passing not only devastated both families to an extent none of us can even begin to imagine, but also left the community of Royton in stunned silence that two of their own had been taken in such a tragic way.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has revealed that it was seeing the tributes outside Royton Town Hall when it really hit home.

Mr McMahon said: "When the memorial started going outside Royton Town Hall it began to hurt because you could see people who were in tears, people who were comforting each other who were just devastated by it.

"That brought it in a very real way in front of our eyes just how much people were hurting in a really deep way.”

Speaking about the anniversary, Mr McMahon added: “A year ago Manchester faced an attack which took the lives of 22 innocent people and injured hundreds more, many are still recovering from physical, emotional and mental health effects today.

“The memories of that day will stay with all of us. Though the act of terror was intended to cause fear, hate and to divide it failed in the end.

"Our response was to come together and we saw the best of Greater Manchester’s love and compassion.

“Locally we had lots of school children at the Arena on that day, and like many two Royton mums went to collect their daughters after the concert. Alison Lowe and Lisa Lees didn’t return home.

“In the past year birthdays, anniversaries and life moments have taken place without the loved ones of so many. Today is about them.

‪”Today we are thinking of all affected and those who didn’t return home.” 

Thousands of people lined the streets of Royton during the funerals of both Alison and Lisa days after the attack with Alison’s husband, Steve, describing her as a rock to their two daughters, Darcie and Sasha along with her four stepsons.

Steve said: “Alison was without doubt the strength behind me and the children.

“We all loved her, and she loved us. She was strong, witty, loving and thoughtful, beautiful inside and out, hardworking, calm and sometimes fiery, loyal, just perfect.”

“She gave us everything she had, and we loved her like no other.”

Alison’s mother also paid a heart-breaking tribute at the funeral, adding: “I’m so proud to be your mum. You are the reason my heart beats, my world, my everything.

“I don’t know how we will go on without you. You were the one perfect thing I ever did in my life.”

Lisa's daughter Lauren led the tributes to her mum at her funeral, saying: “Mum wasn’t just a mum to us, she was our best friend.

“I was so proud of her that she was my mum. India was also very close to her mum. Mum was always proud of her and made her the successful, gorgeous girl she is today.

“As long as we are together, part of her will always live on. We are her legacy and want to make her proud every day.”

Her husband also paid tribute to her, adding: “I still cannot believe I am writing these words down.

“You were taken away from us far too soon. You were everything to me. The best wife a man could ask for.

“You were my best friend, my soul mate. My life will never be the same without you.”

The Chronicle will be joining Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK in holding a minutes silence to remember Alison and Lisa, along with the other 20 people who lost their lives in the attack, at 2.30pm today (Tuesday).