The mum of the Manchester Arena atrocity’s youngest victim defied her own injuries yesterday to take part in a charity walk in her memory.
Lisa Roussos, who woke from a six-week coma after the bombing to learn she had lost eight-year-old daughter Saffie-Rose, was cheered on at the Great Manchester Run.
She was given a 20 per cent chance of survival after suffering 117 shrapnel wounds on May 22, 2017, and had to learn to walk again.
Brave Lisa, 40, was accompanied yesterday by Figen Murray, mum of victim Martyn Hett, 29. Lisa’s husband Andrew and son Xander, 13, also turned out with her doctors and physios.
She walked the route to raise cash for the family’s new charity, 22MCR, which will help people affected by terrorism.
Lisa said: “I suffered horrific injuries and whilst the physical and emotional pain lives on, I am determined to make a difference.”
Rochdale firefighter Aaron Lee also ran in Saffie’s memory, on his 22nd 10k – one for each Arena victim. And Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham posed with Lisa before running, saying: “It’s about turning what happened into a positive.”
The Manchester Arena bombing was carried out by 22-year-old Islamist Salman Abedi, who was born in the city as the descendant of Libyan parents.
Some 23 people died in the attack, including Abedi, making it the UK's most deadly bombing since 7/7.
More than 800 were injured in the blast, although more than £17million was raised for the victims and their families through the One Love Manchester concert.