We’re still trying to wrap our minds around yesterday’s horrific tragedy in Manchester that left, at last count, 22 people dead and 59 injured. The attack targeted the attendees of an Ariana Grande concert, many of whom were teens and even children.
When Kaila wrote up the news Monday night, she included a clip from a beautiful interview with Mr. Rogers, in which he talks about looking for the “helpers” in times of crisis and catastrophe. That when things are at their worst, there will still, always, be people helping. And that those are the people to look for.
Last night, Manchester turned out to be full of helpers.
If you need somewhere to stay in Manchester tonight, or just want to remind yourselves of the best we can all be, check #RoomForManchester.
— Stewart Wood (@StewartWood) May 22, 2017
Using the hashtag #RoomforManchester, city residents were offering up spare rooms, sofas, phone chargers, kind company, and, because this is England, a lot of tea.
Anyone in Manchester who needs to wait for their parents or needs somewhere stay or to make phone calls, etc, just DM me. We have tea!
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) May 22, 2017
Anyone needing a place to stay we have rooms at the Holiday Inn Manchester West. Contact to hotel on 0161 7430080 #roomformanchester
— Danny McMenemy (@Dan_McMenemy) May 22, 2017
Holiday Inn Manchester is taking in children without parents. Call 0161 836 9600. Be safe ❤️#ManchesterArena #roomformanchester
— JD (@Dempsey86John) May 22, 2017
#Manchester #RoomForManchester This lady is willing to help! pic.twitter.com/M0KRvHTnA4
— Georgía💞 (@Queendaisydavis) May 23, 2017
#Manchester A list of hotels with kids that still need picked up I hope this helps pic.twitter.com/e6LCoTC9ci
— Stephanie Miller (@stelpanie) May 23, 2017
That’s just a few of the hundreds of people offering help in any way they can.
It’s amazing to see people come together in such horrendous times. #Manchester #StandTogether pic.twitter.com/BRmuY9r9SD
— Henry Fraser (@henryfraser0) May 23, 2017
People also used the #Manchester hashtag to locate their loved ones. Pictures of missing young people have hundreds and thousands of retweets each. And with so many people banding together, there have already been some heartwarming outcomes.
How amazing is social media pic.twitter.com/7IoycnAjGZ
— k (@wtvrkatelyn) May 22, 2017
Nothing can undo the devastation of an attack like this. But it’s important to look for the helpers, look for the kindness, because it’s out there, in abundance.
Teen Vogue’s Lauren Duca shared an email she got from a 23-year-old fan in Manchester, describing the reaction inside the city.
Got this from a 23-year-old Manchester resident. Take a moment to read it? pic.twitter.com/Xviju8rYzG
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) May 23, 2017
It reads:
We in this city have not reacted to this terror attack with vitriol; or with fear. We have not even reacted in open defiance (yet). Our first reaction has been to take to the streets with water, with supplies, to open our homes to those who are stranded and also, sadly, to guide the families who have lost their children through to the centre of a city they don’t know. If you do choose to write about us, please know that [we] reacted with kindness, empathy, and love. Not with hate.
(featured image: screengrab, ABC)
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