THE family of Freya Lewis, who was seriously injured in the Manchester Arena bombing, is bidding to raise £10,000 to support the hospital which has treated her.

Nick Lewis has described the treatment of daughter Freya at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital’s paediatric critical care unit (PCCU) as ‘world class’, with the Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School student undergoing hours of crucial surgery.

With Freya now recovering three weeks on from the attack, Nick says the time is right to try and give something back.

“There is no doubt what so ever that the care that Freya has received here in the PCCU has been truly world class,” he said.

“We never understood that on our doorstep was one of the most accomplished, sophisticated and incredible children’s services in the world. We just didn’t know – how could we?

“All we know is that when we needed them, when Freya needed them, they were here.

“It’s not just that they have the best and most highly skilled healthcare professionals you can imagine, it is the way those people apply their skills that matters most.

“Freya, and indeed our whole family, have been looked after and cared for by people who have made all of us feel important to them.

“They care for Freya with love, compassion and genuine feeling. We couldn’t ask for more.

“We want to support them, to say thank you but we also want to ensure that the next time someone needs them, they are here and waiting, just like they were for us.”

The fundraiser is being run in conjunction with the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity, and Nick, wife Alison and daughter Georgia are kick-starting donations with £400 – an amount which would have sent Freya on an upcoming HCCS music trip to Paris.

The PCCU treats children aged up to 16 years old, and since the attack on May 22 has had patients visited by royalty as well as Ariana Grande, whose concert Freya had attended.

Freya had gone to the concert with her friend Nell Jones, 14, who was one of 22 people killed in the attack.

Nick said: “Nell, a lovely, bright popular young girl tragically lost her life. Nell’s family are understandably devastated by their loss.

“The strength and dignity with which Nell’s family have acted is testimony to the values they share as a family and the wonderful people that they are.”

Visit justgiving.com/SupportforFreya or click here to donate and see weekly updates on Freya’s progress.