FAMILY and friends of a mother from Otley who was among the missing following the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena have confirmed she died in the bombing.

Wendy Fawell has been the subject of a huge appeal on social media after last being seen at the Ariana Grande show on Monday night.

She is understood to have attended the concert with her daughter and friends, and was last seen in the foyer of the arena shortly before the bomb blast that killed 22 people and left many more injured.

More than 100 people gathered in Otley for a candlelit vigil to pray for her safe return, but family and friends took to Facebook last night to share the news that she had sadly passed away.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:
Floral tributes to Wendy Fawell have been placed in Otley Market Square

Adam Fawell wrote: "I am really sad to say that my mum Wendy Fawell unfortunately has passed away as a result of the terror attack in Manchester on Monday evening. 

"I want to say a massive thank you to all friends and family who has shared posts to try find her and all the messages that have been sent. 

"It really means a lot to us for all you have done I can't thank you enough.

"RIP Mum you will be sadly missed xxxxxxxxx."

The news of Ms Fawell’s death is still to be officially confirmed by police.

Greater Manchester Police have told Telegraph & Argus they are “not in a position to confirm” Mrs Fawell’s death as the coroner’s report has not been finalised. It could take up to five days due to the number of dead.

Debbie McDowell posted: “I am heartbroken beyond belief. I have lost my best friend and confident Wendy Fawell. A beautiful lady who I will have treasured memories of. Nite god bless sweetheart. Love ❤ you to the moon and back xxxx.”

Mandy Rafferty sent a message to the ‘Otley – Our Town’ page saying: “To all of you who have been messaging me, unfortunately it has been confirmed that Wendy was killed in the blast in at Manchester Arena. Our thoughts and prayers are now with Adam and Charlotte. RIP Wendy xx.”

Staff at Oswald's Primary School in Guiseley tweeted a message of condolence to their former colleage. "It is with deepest sadness that I confirm that our former colleague Wendy Fawell was killed in the Manchester bombing. RIP, Wendy".

Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Leeds North West, said: "It is tragic to hear confirmation that that Wendy Fawell was killed in the Manchester attack, having been missing since then.

"My deepest condolences to her family and friends. The whole town of Otley and neighbouring communities are devastated at this news and are in mourning for Wendy.

"When local people came together in a vigil in Otley on Tuesday night they joined together in reflection and prayer in the hope Wendy would be found safe.

"Sadly that has not happened and the news that people feared has now come through.

"The strong community in Otley and in the surrounding area will come together and support the family at this most awful time, people are offering their support and a crowdfunding site has been set up to help. 

“People here are showing the very best in community spirit and we stand together with Wendy’s family and friends, and all those victims of this despicable attack.

"Wendy and her family will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

Mr Mulholland also paid tribute to Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, of Adel, Leeds, who also died in the attack.
He said: “To make this unbearable tragedy even worse, Sorrell’s mother Samantha and grandmother Pauline are among the injured.”

A book of condolence has been opened by Otley Town Mayor Councillor Nigel Francis at the Otley Town Council offices at Unit 11, Orchard Gate, in the town.

Bradford civic leaders led a minute's silence in Centenary Square at 11am today.

Otley Town Council leader, Councillor Ray Georgeson, said the town was in shock.
“Everyone is deeply saddened by the news of Wendy’s death and the town council has opened a book of condolence at Otley Core in Orchard Gate so people can come along and express their feelings,” he said.
“We held a minute’s silence at the flag pole at 11am which was very poignant and around 50 or 60 people came along.”
Otley Our Town website administrator Tom Featherstone set up a justgiving website to raise money for Ms Fawell’s family. He set a target of £2,000 which had been overtaken within hours and was raised to £3,000.
He said:  I’d really like this all to go directly to Wendy’s family,” he said.
Sarah Jones, a funeral director with Full Circle funerals, based in Guiseley, said: “We saw so many lovely message and offers of help. The only way we could help was to offer our services for free if the family wishes that.”
A woman originally from Haworth who experienced the horror of the Manchester terrorist attack was among 150 people in central Keighley who paid their respects to those killed and injured during a one minute silence at 11am yesterday.
She said she felt “absolutely broken” by what had happened.
Mrs Gill now lives in Perth, Australia, but was in England for a two-week holiday to visit family.
In Centenary Square, Bradford, members of the South Asian People’s Forum and Pakistan Journalist Association organised a candlelit vigil last night.
Pervez Fateh, the forum’s co-ordinator, said: “We believe the loss of innocent lives and multiple victims of the barbaric attack carried out by a foot soldier of a fascist ideology in Manchester, obviously deserves strongest condemnation.”
Rafiq Sehgal, chairman of the law and order committee sub group with the Council for Mosques, said: “It has been good to see so many people attend. We are all united.” 
A fundraiser for the British Red Cross  emergency appeal for the Manchester attack has been organised by Tracy Hussain and will take place in the Lane Ends pub, in Idle Road, Bradford, today from 6pm.
Balloons will be released for the victims at 8pm.
Tomorrow, organisers of the 12th Bradford Pride will hold a minute’s applause and release of 22 balloons in memory of the Manchester victims at 1pm at Odsal stadium.

Bradford civic leaders led a minute's silence in Centenary Square at 11am today. 

The Union Flag is flying at half-mast in Centenary Square.

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