A COMMUNITY came together as more than 400 people took part in a memorial run and walk for a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing.

Michelle Kiss, 45, from Whalley, was one of the 22 people who died after an explosion at the city centre venue in May.

The sun shone as eager men, women and children made their way around the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School playing fields in Lammack Road, Blackburn.

A sponsored walk also took place and there was a bouncy castle and a penalty shootout for people to enjoy.

Marie Rishton, 37, along with her daughter, Louisa, eight, said the whole day was great.

Mrs Rishton said: “Michelle was a child minder for Louisa and what happened to her is still a shock even to this day.

“I’m so pleased with the amount of people who came out to support her.

“We did lots of training for the walk.”

Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn handed out medals to those who took part in the run.

He said: “I think it was a really good turnout for a really special person.

“What happened on that day was such a tragic event.

“It was really good to see so many people had come to support the family. I think our community in Blackburn is really strong and it was shown here.”

A two-minute silence was observed by everyone and 22 balloons were released to remember all the victims who lost their lives.

Mark Butler, who took part in the five-kilometre run, said: “It was a terrific afternoon. It was very humbling to be apart of it.”

Nigel Dixon, one of the co-organisers for the day, said: “We were trying to raise as much money as we could.

“The money will go to the family for them to do with it as they feel.

“The event showed that the community are thinking about the family and we are here for them.

“The turnout for the day, which took four weeks to organise, was unbelievable.”