Grandfather pays tribute to Leeds girl killed in Manchester attack

The grandfather of a 14 year old from Adel who was killed in the Manchester terror attack on Monday night has paid tribute to his granddaughter.

Michael Healey, the grandfather of Sorrell Leczkowski, has said he is "absolutely heartbroken'' to confirm she was killed in the Manchester attack, adding:

"On Monday my wife Pauline, daughter Samantha and granddaughter Sorrell went to pick up Sophie and Lauren who had gone to Manchester Arena to watch a pop concert. "

"I am absolutely heartbroken to confirm that my granddaughter was killed in the terror attack that claimed so many innocent lives."

"Sorrell was only 14, but she was our rock, she kept us all grounded. She was such a clever, talented, creative girl, there was nothing she couldn't do."

"She was going to be an architect and wanted to go to Columbia University in New York so that she could build hotels with slides coming out of the rooms and, so that she could build her mum a house."

"My wife is currently in intensive care, and Samantha is recovering from surgery as she tries to make sense of the devastating loss of her daughter."

"We kindly request privacy to grieve as a family and will not be making any further statements at this time."

Other tributes have been paid to Sorrell, including from her headteacher at Allerton High School.

A statement has been released from Elaine Silson, headteacher at Allerton High School, which said:

“We are all extremely shocked and saddened by the events in Manchester on Monday night.

“Sorrell was a delightful member of the school community. She enjoyed her studies, had a lovely group of friends and was a real asset to Allerton High School.

“Understandably our staff and students are all very upset and we are grateful for the support we have received from Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and other external agencies.

“Our thoughts are with Sorrell’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said:

“This is awful and tragic news that a 14-year-old girl from Leeds, Sorrell Leczkowski, was killed in the horrific attack in Manchester on Monday night. For a young life to be taken away like this at what should have been an evening of entertainment and fun is truly heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with Sorrell’s family and friends as it is with all those affected by the attack, and we are working with Allerton High School as we are with those across the city offering guidance to our young people who are trying to come to terms with what has happened.

“The UK terror threat level has been raised to critical following the attack. Leeds City Council is working as part of a multi-agency approach with the government, the emergency services and partners to implement the plans around this, with the most visible sign being an increased security presence and processes being in place in public spaces, buildings and at all major public events and activities in the coming days in towns and cities all over the country. While we would encourage people to go about their daily lives as normal, we would ask please for patience and understanding in following any such increased security measures. Public safety is of paramount importance and we would like to reassure people everything possible is being done to keep them safe, but we would also ask for vigilance and for anything suspicious to be reported to the authorities.

“In Leeds we are working with community leaders across the city focusing on reassurance, resilience and solidarity, strengthening our bonds and rejecting the messages or actions of those who wish to divide us through harm or fear. The universal condemnation of this heinous act and the outpouring of support from Leeds and around the world to the people of Manchester has made clear once again that understanding and compassion will always overcome hate, and that will continue to be the message from Leeds as a welcoming multi-cultural city which celebrates the strength of its diversity.”