Westoe Travel to go 'pink and blue' to mark Manchester bombing anniversary

The South Shields-based agency will join 450 local businesses, 32 schools and more than 900 individuals in taking part in the second “Pink and Blue Day” to raise money for the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust.

Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel and one of the charity’s trustees, told TTG this year’s anniversary would be a “day of celebration”.

“The parents wanted everything this year to be positive and about how the trust is supporting other young people as a legacy,” he said.

The trust has so far raised £297,000 since being set up 18 months ago, and has already given £150,000 in grants to 46 local people aged under 30 to help them achieve their goals in sport, performance arts and other pursuits.

“It’s difficult to predict how much we will raise but last year we raised £42,000 on Pink and Blue Day,” said Brett.

“The travel industry has been very supportive with buying the wristbands and every penny goes to help young people.”

The trust runs a series of events throughout the year. Future fundraisers include a golf day at South Shields Golf Club on 7 June followed by the Together Forever Ball at Hilton Gateshead on 8 June.

Chloe, 17, and Liam, 19, were killed in the bombing shortly after a performance by Ariana Grande in 2017.