Manchester bombing: Ariana Grande to hold benefit gig in Manchester for victims of terror attack

'Broken': Ariana Grande has paid tribute
Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Fiona Simpson26 May 2017

Ariana Grande will hold a benefit concert to raise funds for the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack.

The US pop star said her "heart, prayers and deepest condolences" are with those affected by the bombing in an emotional statement on Twitter.

She said she plans to return to the "incredibly brave" city for a concert "in honour of and to raise funds for the victims and their families".

The 23-year-old said: "There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you are feeling or to make this better.

Ariana Grande: Star has paid tribute 
Getty Images for Live Nation

"However I extend my hand and heart and everything I possibly can give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way.

"I'll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honour of and to raise money for the victims and their families. I want to thank my fellow musicians and friends for reaching out to be a part of our expression of love for Manchester.”

Terrified fans fled the arena
PA

She added that the 22 victims killed when suicide bomber Salman Abedi blew himself up as crowds left the 21,000 capacity venue on Monday would be “on her mind and in her heart every day.

The pop star: “Music is meant to heal us, to bring us together, to make us happy.

"So that is what it will continue to do for us.

Manchester Arena Terror Attack: Victims

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"We will continue in honour of the ones we lost, their loved ones, my fans and all affected by this tragedy.

"They will be on my mind and in my heart every day and I will think of them with everything I do for the rest of my life."

Grande called for people to come "closer together, to help each other, to love more, to sing louder and to live more kindly and generously than we did before.

Manchester Arena explosion

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"We will not quit or operate in fear. We won't let this divide us. We won't let hate win."

She added that she would share details of the concert with fans as soon as they had been confirmed.

The victims of the atrocity included seven children, aged between eight and 18, an off-duty police woman and parents picking up their children.

Police confirmed Abedi, 22, was behind the attack.

A further 10 people have been arrested in connection with the bombing.

Abedi’s brother, Hashim and father Ramadan are being detained by anti-terror forces in Libya.

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