Homeless man who saved lives in the Manchester attack reunited with his mum after five years

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by Emma Dodds |
Published on

Jessica Parker has been reunited with her estranged, homeless son Chris who appeared on TV after saving lives following the Manchester terror attack

After the horrific terror attack in Manchester last Monday, more and more stories are emerging about the kindness of strangers shown in the city's darkest hour.

From Paula Robinson who led 50 teenagers to safety to homeless Stephen Jones who ran towards the screams to help, the overwhelming feeling is one of unity and love - NOT focussing on the perpetrator.

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A passer-by saw Chris in Manchester the other day and took this picture to spread the word (Credit: Facebook/ Marissa Lowe) ©Facebook/ Marissa Lowe

The story of Chris Parker has also come to light.

Chris, 33, is homeless and was begging in the foyer of the Manchester Arena when the bomb went off.

Rather than running away from the blast, he ran straight in to try and help in any way that he could.

He told the Press Association: "It knocked me to the floor and then I got up and instead of running away. My gut instinct was to run back and try and help. There were people lying on the floor everywhere.

"I saw a little girl. I wrapped her in one of the merchandise T-shirts and I said, 'Where is your mum and daddy?' She said, 'My dad is at work, my mum is up there.'"

Chris also tried to save a woman in her 60s who had serious leg and head injuries, but there was nothing he could do: "She passed away in my arms. She had been with her family. I haven't stopped crying."

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Chris Parker was begging in the foyer of the Manchester Arena when the explosion went off (Credit: BBC News) ©BBC News

His bravery has now been recognised and various crowdfunding sites have been set up to help him get back on his feet - this Go Fund Me page has now raised over £50,000.

But there was another element to Chris' story that touched the hearts of the nation.

His mother, Jessica, from whom he is estranged and has not spoken to in five years, saw him on the news and immediately tried to get in touch with him, writing on every social media platform she could - even the Go Fund Me page.

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Chris' mum Jessica Parker did not know her son was homeless as they hadn't spoken in five years (Credit: Facebook/ Jessica Parker) ©Facebook/ Jessica Parker

Jessica, from Sprowston in Norfolk, told the Eastern Daily Press: "I'm extremely proud of him and I just feel like I need to get in contact. He was knocked down in the blast and he so easily could have died - I realised that if that had happened I might have never known about it, which has really upset me the most."

But thankfully, the pair have now been reunited after Chris called his mum.

They arranged to meet in a hotel in Manchester and on Friday were reunited after half a decade.

She told the Eastern Daily Press: "I remember sitting there and he walked past the window. It was so emotional. It was very much a case of mixed emotions, as it's so awful to know what he's been through. He came straight in and gave me a big hug.

"We walked around Manchester and he took me to the memorial, where he goes every morning and evening just to think."

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They have now been reunited (Credit: Facebook/ Jessica Parker) ©Facebook/ Jessica Parker

She also told the BBC: "It was heart-wrenching, absolutely heart-wrenching to know that he actually still wanted his mum.

"He told me very matter-of-factly what he did and said, 'Mum, I've just done what anybody else would do'. I said, 'I don't think so Chris, I think you did something really wonderful and you need to remember that'.

"He's going to be alright, I know he is."

We're so pleased that this happy reunion has come out of something so terrible.

Were you or someone you know caught in the Manchester attack? We want to hear your story - contact us via email or get in touch on Facebook and Twitter.

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