Apprentice Chloe Rutherford was killed in the blast at the venue shortly after a performance by Ariana Grande two years ago.

Chloe was just 17. Her boyfriend Liam Curry, 19, was also killed in the attack.

A trust set up in their name has since raised hundreds of thousands of pounds in their memory, with the aim of helping talented young people like Chloe and Liam in the South Shields community achieve their potential in sport, performance and other pursuits.

The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, founded by the couple’s families, will once again “turn South Shields pink and blue” on 22 May to remember them.

More than 350 businesses and schools have committed to taking part, with others encouraged to embrace the colour scheme in return for a donation. The event last year raised £42,000 for the trust.

Trustee Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel, one of TTG’s Top 50 travel agencies 2019, revealed on Monday (7 May) the trust had so far donated more than 150,000 in grants to young people.

Events planned for the second anniversary include a 22-mile walk remembering all 22 people killed in the attack, a golf day, a football match and a fundraising ball at the Hilton Hotel Gateshead.

There is still much love for Chloe and Liam and their families, and the support for events for the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust is amazing,” said Brett.

“The trust is playing a fantastic role in ensuring there is a lasting legacy for Chloe and Liam, and their parents are so inspirational in making the trust so successful.”

The cause has been backed by star names over the past two years including the likes of Ed Sheeran, Simon Cowell, former England cricketers Michael Vaughan and Graeme Swann, and former X Factor winner and South Shields boy Joe McElderry.