The mother of a man killed in the Manchester Arena bombing has warmly welcomed the UK's first dedicated day to remember victims of terrorism.
Figen Murray said the day was really important to help bring survivors and victims' families together. She said her son Martyn Hett would be “tickled pink” that she was sitting in London with the Prime Minister Andy Burnham and other dignitaries for the first annual day of commemoration.
Her views were echoed by Polly Brooks, who was severely injured in the 2002 Bali attacks and lost her husband Dan among the 202 killed. She said simply: “We can’t let the terrorists win.”
Event held alongside UN remembrance day
Martyn, 29, was killed along with 21 other people at the Ariana Grande concert in 2017. Figen was speaking at the event in London, which is being held on the same day as the UN International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, which began in 2017.
She said: “This is a very important day for victims and survivors. But to me what is important is we need to remember all the people who perished in all the attack including my son.
“And also the other survivors who were injured who have been psychologically damaged. We need to remember the innocent bystanders.
“And the first responders and the emergency workers. In Manchester they saw injuries that are more common on the battlefield.
“Some of those people were so terribly traumatised that some of them can’t do their job any more. We mustn’t forget those people. We must acknowledge these people on a day like this.
“It’s also an important day because it coincides and aligns with the International day. It shows our solidarity.”
Survivor's call for unity
Polly said: “It’s important to remember those who have lost their lives but those who have survived and the families who of those who have been lost. They carry their loss for ever.
“I'm still having operations - I’m still having laser treatment 24 years on.
“There have been so many different terror attacks. But it’s good to show the good work that’s being done for charities - I raised £4m in defiance really because I wanted to do more good than they did evil.
“It’s really important as a nation that we come together.”
Polly lost her husband, Dan Miller, and eight friends in the Bali bombings of 2002. She survived the attack but sustained 43% burns on her body. Polly received little aftercare and support following her injuries.
As a result, Polly established the ‘Dan’s Fund for Burns’ (DFFB) charity to provide emotional, physical and financial support to burns victims.
