I was awake at 3.00am and was horrified at the events in Manchester, my home city, last night. At present, 22 people have died and 59 have been injured after what is thought to be a suicide bomber detonated an explosive in the foyer at the Manchester Evening News (MEN) arena after an Ariana Grande concert had ended. The arena has a capacity of 18,000 people, and most of the audience in attendance were children, teenagers, young adults and their families. It’s the biggest loss of life in a terrorist attack since 7/7, and there are already children confirmed among those who have been killed. Children. 

The world is going mad.

However, it was also heartwarming to see all of the acts of kindness as individuals and hotels immediately opened their doors to provide places of safety, taxi drivers and members of the public drove people home free-of-charge and, of course, the bravery shown from the staff at the arena and our amazing police, ambulance and fire services who potentially risked their lives to ensure the well-being of others.

As Mancunians, we’re no strangers to terrorism, and I’m proud of the way that the city has already come together. My thoughts go out to the victims, their family and friends, Ariana Grande herself (goodness knows what she must be going through) and the people of Manchester.

Today is certainly a day where I will hug my loved ones that little bit tighter.