Ed Sheeran wowed 50,000 Tynesiders at a sold out gig in Newcastle at the weekend - and still found time to deliver a heartwarming charity message.
Sheeran lit up Newcastle United’s St James’s Park on Sunday (June 10), but the gig meant a whole lot more for supporters of the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust.
The trust was founded after Westoe Travel apprentice Chloe Rutherford, 17, was killed along with her boyfriend Liam Curry, 19, in the Manchester Arena bombing.
Chloe and Liam’s families though vowed not to let their deaths be in vain and set up the trust to support young people achieve their potential.
Last month, Westoe Travel helped turn Chloe and Liam’s South Shields home pink and blue in their memory, supported by 30 schools and thousands of individuals and businesses.
To date, the trust has raised more than £100,000, including £35,000 alone on the anniversary of the attack (May 22).
On Sunday, Sheeran took to the stage for an encore wearing a blue trust t-shirt and wristband, which were given to him before the show by the trust.
Both Chloe and Liam’s parents were in the crowd, and were invited along with their families to meet the singer-songwriter star ahead of the performance.
Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel, said the trust had received tremendous support since its inception and had already helped a number of young people like Chloe and Liam.
Newcastle night #3!
— Ed Sheeran Updates (Fanpage) (@EdSheeran_EU) June 11, 2018
Ed wore a shirt that was made in memory of Chloe and Liam (Manchester Attack) for the encore
\uD83D\uDCF8 gemmaapatterson & _demi__louise_ pic.twitter.com/8MbgfWRFhE
Sheeran was a favourite of both Chloe and Liam’s, with the couple having seen the star at his 2017 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena show. His single Perfect was also played at their funeral.
Images courtesy of the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Facebook page.
Pictured (clockwise) are Liam’s brother Zack Curry, Chloe’s parents Mark and Lisa Rutherford, and Liam’s mum Caroline Curry.