Health and social care student killed following Manchester bombing
The first victim of the Manchester bomb attack at the city’s arena has been named by her college as Georgina Callander.
Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire, spoke of its “enormous sadness” after hearing that the student died as a result of the blast at the Ariana Grande concert.
A spokesman said in a statement the young girl was on the second year of her health and social care course, and was a former student at Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy.
“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s family, friends, and all of those affected by this loss,” the college said.
“We are offering all available support possible at this tragic time, including counselling with our dedicated student support team.”
Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy confirmed that Georgina died as a result of the injuries she sustained.
In a statement the school said: “Georgina was a lovely young student who was very popular with her peers and the staff and always made the most of the opportunities she had at the school.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Georgina’s family at this terrible time, and we think especially of her brothers Harry and Daniel who were also former students of the school.
“All of our students will gather together today for a time of prayer and reflection and to give thanks for the life of Georgina.”
Following the news of her death, former Grange Hill actor Once Upon A Time actor Sean Maguire tweeted to say he had “just met” Georgina in April.
He said: “She was so young & sweet. She was killed last night Manchester. My love to her and all the families of the victims.”
Donations to support the families of those injured and killed have poured in after the attack.
The Manchester Evening News, the city’s local paper, has raised around £200,000, while a GoFundMe page to raise money for Georgina Callander’s family to help with the funeral and memorial costs has raised more than £1,500.
Harrogate Grammar School in North Yorkshire said two of its pupils were injured in the Manchester Arena attack.
Headmaster Richard Sheriff said: “We now know that we had a number of young people and members of their families attending the concert in Manchester last night and we know at least two of them were injured, thankfully not seriously, but are awaiting treatment in hospitals in the Manchester area.
“All of those who are in attendance last night will have been profoundly affected and will need our support over the coming days and months to make sure their happiness and well-being is protected.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2017, All Rights Reserved. Picture – Screengrab from the gofundme page set up in memory of Georgina Callander (left) who has died as a result of injuries sustained in an explosion at the Manchester Arena where she had been attending a concert by Ariana Grande (right) – (c) gofundme / PA Wire.
