Anyone who wants to celebrate Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett’s life is invited to his funeral
The family of Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett has invited everyone who wants to celebrate his life to attend his funeral.
Martyn, 29, was confirmed dead by loved ones two days after the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on May 22.
Tens of thousands shared posts in a bid to track down the gay icon and Coronation Street superfan, but it later transpired he had been killed by the suicide bomber.
Fans wearing T-shirts bearing a tribute to Martyn Hett (ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP/Getty Images)
Ahead of his funeral service at Stockport Town Hall on June 30 from 12 to 12.30pm, his family urged anyone who wants to pay tribute to Martyn to attend.
A statement released to the Manchester Evening News said: “As a family we wish to invite anybody who would like to attend to celebrate Martyn’s life.
“We respectfully ask for privacy once the service has concluded and that only people who have been formally invited attend both the cremation and wake, which will be family and close friends only.
“We would like to thank everybody who comes to join us on what will be a very emotional day for all involved with this tragic event.”
They have requested that only family members bring flowers, and asked that any donations be directed to a fundraising page set up specially.
The money will go to mental health charity Beacon Counselling and children’s cancer charities Kidscan and Beechwood Children’s Bereavement Service.
To donate, you can visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/MartynHett.
£300 has already been raised after the page was set up yesterday.
Martyn Hett and boyfriend Russell Hayward
With a large number of people expected to attend the funeral, it has also been announced that the service will be shown live on screens on the plaza next to the town hall.
After it emerged that Martyn was one of the 22 killed in the Manchester bombing, his family issued a statement in tribute to his “infectious laugh and his niche sense of humour”.
“At 10.33pm on Monday May 22 2017 our beloved son Martyn just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” they continued.
“Words cannot describe the generosity and kindness our families have received over the last few days.
“We are overwhelmed with the amount of lives he has touched and the kind words that are being said about him.
“Martyn was the icon of all our lives. His infectious laugh and his niche sense of humour will stay with us forever.
Martyn Hett and family
“He lived for every moment of every day and fitted an entire lifetime of memories into his 29 years.
“Whilst they have taken the life out of Martyn, no one can, and ever will, take Martyn out of our lives.”
Mariah Carey also paid tribute to Martyn, after finding out that he was a huge fan of hers.
She wrote on Instagram: “RIP Martyn Hett. We will cherish your memory forever.
“His family and all the families affected are in my thoughts and prayers. MC ?❤”
