Funeral of 15-year-old bomb victim Olivia Campbell taking place
Written by News on 20/06/2017
On the day of a Manchester bombing victim, her family say they feel no hate or anger about what happened.
Charlotte Campbell says that being angry would feel like taking away some of the love she has for her 15-year-old daughter, who was one of 22 people killed at a concert by pop star Ariana Grande.
Members of the public have been invited to the funeral service at St Anne’s church at Tottington in Bury.
Olivia’s parents have urged mourners to wear blue instead of black.
Her mother said that a party would be held later in the day telling Sky News: "It’s going to be all the things we’ll now never do with her: her proms, her 16th, her 18th, her 21st, her wedding – everything."
Despite the couple’s upbeat approach to the funeral Charlotte tearfully told Sky News that the month since her daughter’s death had been a struggle.
"I’m not even living day by day I’m living minute by minute. Nothing’s going to change for me for a long time at the moment. I’ve lost my daughter. I’ve last my baby and I’ve just got to deal with that at the moment."
She said that despite the pain she occasionally found herself smiling.
"I smile at my memories. I also smile at the fact that she hasn’t got to live with the memories of this. She’s not suffering."
Olivia had gone to the Manchester Arena concert with her 15-year-old friend Adam Lawler.
Although he was seriously injured in the attack, he is planning to attend today’s funeral.
Olivia’s step father Paul Hodgson said that the public had been invited to the funeral because they "had been there" for the family.
He said: "They’ve taken time out of their own lives for the past four weeks to do things for us whether it be charity fund raising, helping us out, bringing our shopping round… all them people are here for us."
Olivia loved music and enjoyed singing.
Her dream was to be a music teacher and some of her favourite songs will be played at her funeral.
(c) Sky News 2017: Funeral of 15-year-old bomb victim Olivia Campbell taking place
