Ariana Grande made honorary citizen of Manchester after raising £3m for arena bombing victims

Recognised: Ariana Grande has been made an honorary citizen of Manchester
Dave Hogan via AP
Jennifer Ruby13 July 2017
The Weekender

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Ariana Grande has been made an honorary citizen of Manchester thanks to her fundraising efforts in the wake of the arena terror attack.

The US pop star was awarded the distinction after Manchester City councillors met on Wednesday morning, with the motion passed unanimously.

Grande, 23, was praised for returning to the city just two weeks after the horrific bombing to headline the One Love Manchester concert, raising £3m for the victims and their families.

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said that it would have been “understandable” if the singer hadn’t returned to the city so quickly.

“But no - instead she, as an artist, a performer, was determined that she would not perform again until she had returned to Manchester to perform,” he said.

“In doing so, she brought comfort to thousands, she raised millions for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and became the first patron of that fund.

One Love Manchester Concert

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“And that's why I propose that Ariana Grande is made the first honorary citizen of the city of Manchester.”

Grande said she was “heartbroken” following the terror attack that killed 22 people and injured more than 100 on May 22.

She returned later that month to meet those affected by the bombing and visit the injured in hospital.

Leese added: “This council recognises that the loss of so many innocent lives cruelly murdered on the night of May 22 at Manchester is something that will always stay in our hearts and minds.

“We recognise too the magnificent response to this tragedy from people already at the scene, from first responders, from the vast range of public service workers, and from many ordinary members of the public.”

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