Politics: Crowdfunding campaign to support the families of Manchester attack victims passes £1 million mark

More than 41,000 people have backed the appeal to help victims' families.

A crowdfunding campaign to raise money to provide support for the families of those injured and killed in the Manchester terrorist attack has now raised more than £1 million in just over two days.

The campaign, launched by staff at the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday morning, was created after readers got in touch with the paper to ask how they could help in the aftermath of the attack. It initially aimed to raise £250,000 but surpassed that target in just over four hours, with a new aim to raise £2 million.

After growing rapidly all day on Tuesday and Wednesday, by Thursday morning the appeal has reached a total of £1,261,597 and is still rising. 41,255 separate backers have pledged money to help victims' families.

"Manchester Evening News readers have been asking how they can help, so we have started this fund to help support the families in the aftermath of the attack," the description of the campaign on fundraising site JustGiving says.

The MEN is now partnering with the British Red Cross on the appeal.

"The money raised by the Manchester Evening News and its readers will be administered by the British Red Cross, who are offering support to affected families. All of it will go to the families."

On Tuesday, the official Twitter account of the Manchester Evening News tweeted to say that online fashion retailer Boohoo.com — which has its head office close to the site of the attack — has donated £100,000 to the campaign.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 50 people injured following the attack after an Ariana Grande concert in the city on Monday.

You can donate to the campaign by clicking this link.

More than 41,000 people have backed the appeal to help victims' families. Read Full Story