Sara performs ‘viral’ speech for Mayor & Mayoress

Wensley Fold C of E Primary Academy pupil Sara Hussain gave a very special performance of her moving speech about challenging the Manchester Arena bomber when she visited the Mayor’s parlour this week.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen invited Sara into Blackburn Town Hall after hearing about Sara’s message of hope and love going viral last month.

Shared on the school’s social media channels around the time of the second anniversary of the Manchester Arena terror attack, Sara’s speech – in which she considers what she would say to attacker Salman Abedi if she could travel back in time to the night of the attack in May 2017 – attracted positive national media attention and saw the BBC North West Tonight cameras visit Sara’s school.

Wensley Fold received letters and messages from people all over the world – including a letter from a woman in Surrey who was so moved by watching the video of Sara’s speech that she felt compelled to write a letter of congratulations.

After performing her speech for the Mayor and Mayoress, alongside Council Chief Executive Denise Park and Council Leader Councillor Mohammed Khan, Sara and her family were given a tour of the Council Chamber.

Sara, who would like to be an author when she is older, said:

I didn’t expect any of this when I wrote the speech. It took me about an hour and a half to write in my bedroom. It’s really amazing to see where the speech has gone and how many people have heard it.

It means a lot to be invited in to meet the Mayor. Not many people my age get this opportunity and I’m really proud to be a citizen of Blackburn.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Jim Shorrock said:

What a remarkable young lady. Sara’s confidence in delivering her speech and the maturity she spoke with was absolutely brilliant.

I told her to continue to spread her positive message. In years to come, who knows – Sara could be wearing the Mayoral chains representing Blackburn with Darwen!