Add Category
Updated
Ariana Grande has paid a surprise hospital visit to young fans injured in a suicide bombing at her Manchester concert, which killed 22 people and left 116 wounded.
The US pop star visited The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on Friday night (local time), ahead of a charity concert this weekend which will raise money for the victims of the attack and their families.
Jaden Farrell Mann, who was seriously injured in the attack and has undergone two operations, was among the young fans visited by Grande.
Her mother Sharon told the Manchester Evening News the visit was a "complete surprise".
"Jaden was just sat there watching TV and she walked in. She was absolutely amazed," she said.
"She has a big smile anyway but it got even bigger, Ariana gave her a hug and a kiss, she was in awe.
"It was absolutely fantastic to see, she was so happy."
Evie Mills, a 14-year-old who met Queen Elizabeth II last week when she visited the hospital, also met Grande.
The mother of eight-year-old Lily Harrison, who is still recovering in hospital, thanked Grande on Twitter.
"Tonight's visit from @ArianaGrande was amazing. Just the lift all the kids [and parents] needed! What an absolute angel," Lauren Thorpe wrote.
Tickets for the all-star "One Love Manchester" benefit concert in aid of the victims of the bomb attack, which will be headlined by Grande, sold out within minutes of going on sale.
Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Take That and the Black Eyed Peas will also perform at the concert at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Katy Perry, Niall Horan, Robbie Williams and Little Mix are also on the line-up.
Fans who attended Grande's previous show were offered free tickets to the concert, and proceeds from tickets sold will go to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund set up to aid grieving families and victims of the attack.
In a statement announcing the benefit concert, Grande said she hoped to "honour the ones we lost, their loved ones, my fans and all affected by this tragedy".
"There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you [her fans] are feeling or to make this better," she wrote.
"However, I extend my hand and heart and everything I possibly can give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way.
"We will not quit or operate in fear. We won't let this divide us. We won't let hate win."
ABC/wires
Topics: music, arts-and-entertainment, charities-and-community-organisations, community-and-society, terrorism, united-kingdom, england
First posted