Families start fund in memory of tragic couple
A HOST of famous faces have backed a campaign to help people ‘achieve their dreams’ set up by the families of a couple killed in the Manchester Arena bombing.
Teenage sweethearts Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry died along with 20 others in the blast on May 22.
Their loved ones set about doing something positive to honour their memories.
They launched the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, which aims to help aspiring performers and sports men and women ‘achieve their dreams.’
More than £20,000 has already been raised. A host of celebrities – including rapper Stormzy, Coronation Street’s Helen Flanaghan, and football managers Rafa Benitez and Chris Coleman – have showed their support by wearing the trust’s blue and pink wristbands.
Chloe’s dad Mark Rutherford, from South Shields in North Tyneside, told the M.E.N.: “We want to help people achieve their goals, to fulfil their dreams. That was something that was taken away from Chloe and Liam.
“Chloe loved to sing and play piano, she also wrote songs and enjoyed getting involved with everything backstage.
“Liam was a huge cricket fan and player. He had just passed his coaching badges and was teaching young kids.
“I know they would have been so proud of this legacy. It’s something they would’ve loved – giving people opportunities.
“There are so many talented people out there that can’t afford to go any further, and the money we give may not be a massive injection of cash but it could help with things like transport or hotels in London if someone has an audition.
“It would be amazing a few years down the line to see someone at the Olympics or on the West End, doing what they love because of Chloe and Liam, it’s given us something to focus on.”
Mark, 46, added: “Everything is going fantastically well. Everyone is doing loads to help raise money, there’s always something going on.
“We’ve got over £20,000 in the pot now, and we can’t thank people enough for their support.”
Recent bursaries handed out include one to South Shields FC’s coaching staff.
Mark has previously said that since losing his daughter and Liam, 19, their two families ‘have become one.’
Over Christmas, they went to Australia to distance themselves from the heartache.
“It was a very strange experience,” Mark added.
“It didn’t matter where we were in the world, it was always going to be Christmas.
“It was always going to be difficult being without Chloe and Liam, but we chose the right place to go, there wasn’t big fuss about it over there, it was just like any other day.”
While in Australia, they went to went to see the Ashes, which was something Liam had always dreamed of doing, and were invited to the media suite where they met England cricket legends Michael Vaughan and Graham Swann, as well as Geoff Boycott. “It was brilliant,” said Mark. “It was a great boost for the trust, they were all wearing the wristbands and have been really supportive of what we are trying to achieve.”
Bursaries are currently open to anyone living in the north east, but it is hoped people across the country will soon be able to apply.
Visit: facebook.com/ChloeAndLiam TogetherForever for more information.