We're honouring Chloe and Liam by opening up opportunities for other young people

Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry, from South Shields, tragically lost their lives in the terror attack in 2017, with their families going on to establish The Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust in their name.

The trust, which has raised more than £1million since it launched, honours Chloe and Liam’s love and talent in performing arts and sports by supporting other young people with passion and talent in these fields to achieve their goals and follow their dreams.

Now, the trust has teamed up with Sunderland-based Arts North Studios to create practical, high-quality pathways into musical theatre for young people who may not otherwise have access to training or performance opportunities.

At the centre of the new partnership is a fully funded “Together Forever” Summer School, delivered by Arts North Studios, a performing arts college based within The Fire Station in Sunderland.

The programme is designed for students who may not otherwise have access to musical theatre training and places a strong emphasis on inclusion, opportunity and high-quality performing arts education.

Lori Smedley, Vice Principal at Arts North Studios, grew up with Chloe. She said: “With the Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust and in partnership with Love Amelia, we’re bringing more opportunities to the young people of the North East.

 “Having grown up with Chloe, this partnership means something incredibly personal to me and for the Together Forever Trust to see something special within the students and ethos of Arts North Studios makes us incredibly proud.

“It’s going to be amazing to see so many young people have the support of the Together Forever Trust while training with Arts North Studios to be able to reach their full potential – starting with mour summer school funded by the Together Forever Trust.”

Chloe’s dad, Mark Rutherford, co-founder of the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, said: “Chloe, my daughter and her boyfriend Liam, were two of the people killed in the Manchester Arena bomb in 2017.  

 “We want to keep their memories alive and make an everlasting legacy – in the last year we’ve raised over £1m, but that has gone straight back out to help the young people in sport and performance. We’re delighted to be supporting young people through this new Arts North Studios initiative.” 

Chloe’s mum, Lisa Rutherford, co-founder of the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, said: “We’re overjoyed to be involved and partnered with Arts North Studios. Lori [Vince Principal at Arts North Studios] danced with Chloe, so it’s a real pull on the heartstrings for me.” 

Participants in the Summer School will be chosen by leading poverty charity Love, Amelia, who support families in difficulty across the North East.

Giving young people opportunities in life by reducing financial barriers

Steph Capewell, CEO of Love, Amelia, which is based in Hendon, said: “So many children who are living in poverty or experiencing hardship in the North East often don’t get opportunities to access extra activities such as performing arts and culture.

“Working alongside Arts North Studios and the Together Forever Trust means that we can support children who are experiencing deprivation and are living in poverty to access these resources.

“It’s about inspiring children, for whom this would be out of their reach, and providing access to something that they’re interested in, they love, and can go on to explore and do more of.”

As part of the partnership, the Trust will also be supporting four of Arts North Studios’ students, funding 50% of their education from September 2026, providing opportunities to young people that may otherwise have been impossible.

The scholarships will support emerging talent by reducing financial barriers at a key point in a young person’s training journey.

Speaking at the event, Liam’s mum, Caroline Curry, co-founder of the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, said: “We’re here today to collaborate with Arts North Studios, giving bursaries to students so they can experience what Arts North Studio’s all about.” 

More collaborations are planned in the future, as the Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust’s Annual Showcase will be held at The Fire Station for the first time in the autumn.

Two Arts North Studios representatives will also be raising funds for the Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust at May’s Sunderland City Run.