Parents of youngest Manchester bombing victim find ‘peace’ in moving to Dorset
The parents of Saffie-Rose Roussos, the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing, say writing a book and moving down South has helped them "move forward"
The parents of Manchester Arena Bombing’s youngest victim say moving to Dorset has given them the “breathing space” to cope with their grief.
Andrew and Lisa Roussos, who lived and worked in Leyland at the time of the Arena bombing in 2017, have written a book honouring their little girl Saffie-Rose Roussos – hoping she is remembered as more than just the ‘youngest victim’.
Simply titled Saffie, the book is both a memoir and a tribute, offering a window into the life of a “larger than life” little girl whose energy, humour and warmth touched everyone she met.
The couple told us eight-year-old Saffie ‘lit up’ every room she entered: “The main thing about Saffie was her energy and her aura captivated people. She was just warm and friendly and always smiling.
“She was always the funniest in the room, she could communicate with anybody and everybody. It was such a gift.”
The couple describe writing the book as one of the most difficult things they’ve ever done, but felt it was important to honour Saffie.
Lisa added: “We wanted to paint a true picture of Saffie to show people who she really was – not just a name or a victim, but a special little girl with a zest for life.”
Since its release, ‘Saffie’ has struck a chord with readers. “We had a message from someone who said, ‘it’s like a love letter to Saffie’, and that’s the reaction we wanted. We want Saffie’s character to come through,” Andrew said.
Saffie-Rose Roussos was the youngest of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing, which occurred as fans were leaving an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
The bombing left hundreds injured, including Lisa and the couple’s older daughter, Ashlee.
In the aftermath, the Roussos family spoke candidly about their grief: “We’ve been open and honest in this book because grief is one of those subjects that’s difficult to talk about.
“I think when something like this happens, you feel your world has come to an end, so if our book, can give even one person a little bit of hope – that would mean everything.”
Part of their healing process has involved starting a new chapter in Dorset, where the sea and landscapes of the Jurassic Coast provide comfort.
“The sea does a lot for us,” says Andrew. “Every corner you turn is beautiful. The quaint little villages, the space – it just gives you breathing room.”
Though the move and the book have helped them move forward, they remain deeply connected to their daughter.
In their new home, they’ve kept a room for Saffie — a space for her memory to live on and for family to remember her in a tangible way.
Lisa told us: “We have Saffie with us in a positive, healthy way. Everything we do now is for that little girl. We are her voice and her spirit.”
Andrew added: “We refuse to live our lives in suffering. Saffie is with us wherever we go – her energy surrounds us 24/7.”