Sefton Councillor Carla Thomas (St. Oswald Ward) is hoping to reach a fundraising milestone of £10,000 for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena terror attack where her sister sustained life-changing injuries.

Councillor Thomas’s sister, Julie, was present at Manchester Arena when the terror attack took place on May 22, 2017. Julie was seriously injured in the blast and underwent three serious operations to remove shrapnel and bolts from her body. She is now adjusting to life in a wheelchair.

In response to the atrocity, Councillor Thomas organised a ‘Hope Over Fear Fundraising Event’ on behalf of the victims and families of those hurt in the attack. The event, which was held at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool and attended by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, raised £9,200 for the Fund.

She is now hoping to reach a fundraising milestone of £10,000 by the end of May in order to present a cheque to the two Metro Mayors next month for the We Love Manchester Fund.

Councillor Thomas said: “I can’t thank everyone who has donated enough for their support. I can’t believe that it’s almost a year since the awful incident occurred but I’m very lucky to have my sister who is adjusting to life in a wheelchair. We still hope she may walk again.

“It would be great to get as close to my fundraising target of £10,000 as possible as I am due to meet with Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram in June to give them a cheque with the grand total raised for the We Love Manchester Fund.”

If you would like to donate please contact Councillor Thomas directly on 07815 507 965.