As of this morning, 22 are dead and 59 injured after a tragic act of terror in Manchester. The attack took place at an Ariana Grande concert, which is not only significant due to the large number of people Ariana attracts, but because of her particular fan base: predominantly teen and pre-teen girls.
It’s near-impossible to comprehend how such a terrible thing could happen, but– as more information comes to light– more stories of hope and goodness are rising out of the darkness.
One such story is of 48-year-old Paula Robinson. The “Angel of Manchester.”
BoredPanda
Last night, Paula and her husband were at Victoria train station– near the arena wherein the Ariana Grande concert was taking place– when they heard and felt the explosion. Paula recalls seeing “dozens” of teenage girls running and screaming, many separated from their parents in the chaos.
Paula herded together around 50 panicked teens and children. “We ran out,” she recalled. “I got the teens to run with me.”
She guided the girls to a nearby hotel and there began posting all over social media, hoping to connect with the parents who were– no doubt– terrified, looking for their kids.
Anyone looking for children in #Manchester tonight head to the Holiday Inn as one wonderful lady is keeping them safe pic.twitter.com/snJfE0IysZ
– Amy Cotter (@AmyLou_Cotter) May 22, 2017
“We have got about 50 kids with us waiting to be picked up,” she wrote online. “They are safe and we will look after them.”
DailyMail
Paula said her phone has not stopped ringing since she posted about the kids.
@AmyLou_Cotter @LiveYourNow Bless you, whoever you are. Thank you for watching out for the children.
– CJ Frederick (@PoweredbyPoodle) May 23, 2017
PaulaRobinson you are an incredible person to take terrified kids to a place of safety, a beacon in the darkness of this horror#Manchester
– Guy Hamilton (@atterse) May 22, 2017
Paula still doesn’t know what compelled her to corral all those children to safety, but we’re sure those kids– and their families– will always be grateful for their angel.
“This big explosion just went off” – Paula Robinson, witness to the Manchester attack, who helped get many kids to safety in a hotel pic.twitter.com/9i2pnYwVm9
– BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 23, 2017
Share this incredible story of heroism to spread the hope today.
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