The grandparents of a ‘full of life’ teenage girl who died in the Manchester Arena bombing said they are extremely grateful to receive charity funding.
Steve and Sharon Goodman set up Liv’s Trust, a music and dance club, in memory of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell-Hardy.
The teenager, who was from Bury, tragically died in the May 2017 attack as she left the concert hall after Ariana Grande performed her encore.
Steve Goodman said: “Olivia was full of life and would take on any challenge.
“She loved holidays and had many with us, her dad and her siblings. She loved Strictly Come Dancing.
“Olivia wanted to be a music and dance teacher.
“As her primary school teacher said, it was her passion as a very young child which continued through her short but very full life.”
Liv’s Trust was set up by Steve and other family members on November 26, 2017 — two days before Olivia’s 16th birthday.
The charity was launched to help under-25s access education in music and dance and give young people an outlet where they can perform.
The Bury-based club is one of four successful groups which will receive £500 each from TalkTalk’s Future Fibre in order to further support the community projects and initiatives.
Almost 25 groups across Greater Manchester applied for funding, and Salford-based TalkTalk chose the final four because of their commitment to their communities.
Steve said the club was set up because Olivia’s dad Andrew wanted a ‘living legacy’ because she was a child who ‘loved helping others’.
In the five years since the charity was set up, Liv’s Trust has helped students from the Northern School of Music, Northern School of Ballet and performing arts schools in Leeds, Liverpool and London.
He added: “These things depend on funding and fundraising but we still think music and dance should be available for all.
“Olivia had grandparents that funded her passions and we hope she is looking down on us and happy we are helping others and what we are achieving in her name.”
Bronagh McCloskey, Head of CSR at TalkTalk, said: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting four community groups across Greater Manchester with a £500 donation each to help with the important work they do, as we roll out full fibre across the city.”
Images credited to Liv’s Trust
