Permanent rose garden tribute to Saffie Roussos

A flower show garden which features a rose dedicated to Leyland schoolgirl Saffie Roussos who was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing will go on permanent display to the public.
Saffies dad Andrew and brother XanderSaffies dad Andrew and brother Xander
Saffies dad Andrew and brother Xander

The rose was unveiled at the RHS Tatton Flower Show on Wednesday and yesterday it was revealed the whole garden will be permanently relocated to Fleetwood once the show is over.

The North West Tonight Garden, which champions the spirit and resilience of the North West following the bombing, will be relocated to the Willow Garden Project in Fleetwood.

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Pam Laird, creator of the Willow Garden Project said: “We are absolutely over the moon to receive the garden and be part of its build at RHS Tatton Park.

“To be able to bring one of the gardens back with us is such an honour.”

Eight-year-old Saffie (above) was the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing where 22 people were killed in the May 2017 attack during an Ariana Grande concert.

A flower has now been created in her honour, so her name can live on forever.

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Saffie’s father, Andrew, said his daughter would have been thrilled and revealed the family’s pet name for her was “Rosebud”.

He said: “When you ask for it, ask for a Saffie rose, she will love that.

“It’s a lovely way to have a little piece of her.”

Rose grower Keith Jones, who developed the flower after a fundraising campaign, said: “It was something so nice to remember Saffie by because it’s permanent.

“As long as we keep growing it - which we will do - it will be growing forever more.”

There will be a £4 donation from each rose sold to north West charities.