Culture

Ariana Grande donates Christmas gifts to Manchester hospitals 5 years after concert attack

By Jordan Robledo

30th December 2022

Pop icon Ariana Grande has continued to showcase her love for Manchester by donating Christmas presents to children in local hospitals. 

Back in 2017, the beloved pop singer and her thousands of fans at the Manchester Arena were the victims of a terrifying bombing – which left 22 people dead and hundreds more injured. 

Since that tragic day, Grande has developed a heartfelt relationship with the city, which has resulted in her using her platform/resources to give back to its residents.

For the holiday season, the Into You singer continued her tradition by gifting children with Christmas presents across various hospitals in Manchester (per CBS News). 

On 26 December, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity thanked Grande for her generous donations across their social media. 

 “Thank you, Ariana! We were so excited to receive Christmas gifts for young patients across our hospitals from @arianagrande,” they wrote. 

The charity went on to say that babies, children and teenagers at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Trafford General, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital were the recipients of the aforementioned gifts. 

“It’s so wonderful that Ariana has once again been so thoughtful and made this special donation to our family of hospitals. We know Manchester, and in particular, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, holds a special place in Ariana’s heart,” said Tanya Hamid, Interim Director of Manchester Foundation Trust Charity.

This isn’t the first time Grande has gifted Manchester children holiday presents. 

Last year, the Wicked star gave 1,000 gifts to Manchester children who were spending Christmas in hospital.

In 2020, the honorary Manchester citizen gave every child staying at the Royal Manchester’s Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary a £100 Amazon voucher. 

Grande’s latest holiday philanthropy comes a year after the Grammy winner penned a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the infamous attack. 

“Although grief is ever-present and our relationship to it is evolving and expressing itself in different ways every day year-round, I know that this anniversary will never be an easy one,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Please know that I am thinking of u all today. Manchester, you’re in my heart always.”