Orlando survivors to visit Manchester

American Survivors of the Pulse Nightclub terror attack in Orlando and the deadly Greensburg, Kansas tornado are bringing hundreds of “Stars of HOPE” to express solidarity with the people of Manchester this July 1st - 4th

Hand-painted messages of Hope and Healing will shine bright in the U.K but in Manchester especially.

The New York Says Thank You Foundation, an international disaster relief organization that runs the Stars of HOPE® community arts program, announced today it is sending a survivor of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub terror attack in Orlando, Florida and a survivor of the 2007 Greensburg, Kansas tornado to Manchester, England this July 1st - 4th - American Independence day - in a show of solidarity and compassion with the people of Manchester, England following the deadly bombing at the Arianna Grande concert in May.

They will be bringing with them hundreds of hand-painted Stars of HOPE painted at the Pulse Nightclub on the one-year anniversary of the June 12 terror attack that took the lives of 49 people. Each brightly painted Star of HOPE contains personal messages and designs of hope and healing created to strengthen bonds between survivors of tragedy while demonstrating to the world that LOVE is stronger than hate. The Stars will start appearing around Manchester in the coming days and the community will be invited to participate in this uplifting and healing arts project which has bolstered the emotional recovery and resiliency of tens of millions of survivors in 147 communities in 24 countries in the wake of man-made and natural disaster.

“We are honored to come to Manchester, England in early July  - an important date in American and British history – to show our love and to let the people of Manchester impacted by this tragedy know that they are not alone,” stated Marcelle Robustelli Strong, Program Manager of Stars of HOPE who will be accompanying the Stars of HOPE volunteers on this important trip.

The local effort in Manchester is being coordinated by Dr. Liz Royle, a leading trauma recovery specialist who is actively working to engage the Manchester community in this healing and uplifting project to transform tragedy into hope through art.

“We are now much more aware of the wider psychological impact of events such as the Manchester Arena attack,” stated Dr. Liz Royle, a trauma specialist in Liverpool and Director of KRTS International. “Mental health needs of the community can be greatly helped by providing the basic need for hope when all around is despair. Seeing the Stars of HOPE and knowing they are painted by people who really understand this despair connects us with the best values of humanity when we have been faced with the worst.

We are also delighted to be working with our friends at Canal St Online to help mark this anniversary and to welcome the group to Manchester”

In addition to the 800 Stars of HOPE painted for Manchester by the Orlando community, Stars created by attorneys and staff members at the New York City law office of DENTONS US LLP and Stars painted by students at Bodine High School of International Affairs in Philadelphia, PA in partnership with Sungard Availability Services will also shine bright among the public areas of Manchester in this global movement of resiliency, compassion, and connection through art.

Plans are afoot to welcome a small group of the survivors and supporters to Manchester.

If you would like to help welcome them in any way, please email us asap on CANALSTMANCHESTER@GMAIL.COM thanks.

Published: 20-Jun-2017: (4382)