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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sam Yarwood

Michelle Pearson's family are inviting you to join them in remembering her this weekend

Hundreds of people will gather in Walkden this weekend as friends and family come together to remember Michelle Pearson.

The courageous mum from Salford passed away in hospital earlier this week, 20 months on from a devastating arson attack on her home which claimed the lives of her four youngest children.

Michelle, who was 36 at the time, was critically injured in the fire.

She suffered 75 per cent burns and was placed into an induced coma.

When she awoke several months later, Michelle struggled to come to terms with the heartbreaking news that her son Brandon, eight, and daughters Demi, 15, Lacie, seven, and three-year-old Lia, had died.

She was on strong medication, and kept forgetting. It took around six weeks for what had happened to finally sink in.

Michelle Pearson, top left, and her children Demi, bottom left, Brandon, Lacie and Lia (Family handout)

The despicable crime in December 2017 rocked the community - as well as the rest of the nation.

Michelle's family have been inundated with support ever since, with more than a thousand pounds being raised for the Wythenshawe Burns Unit, which cared for the mum-of-six following the fire.

Michelle presenting a cheque to medics on the burn unit at Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester Evening News.)

They announced her tragic passing on social media on Monday.

"Our beautiful Michelle gained her wings last night," her niece Courtney Pearson said.

"She held on, but her children needed her more."

Her mum Sandra Lever wrote: "Sadly last night, after a hard 20 months of fighting, our beautiful Michelle gained her wings and went to join her babies."

On Sunday, there will be a minute's silence outside the family's home on Jackson Street, followed by a balloon release.

Crowds will gather outside the home on Jackson Street to remember Michelle and the children (ABNM Photography)

The scene of the devastating blaze became a place of remembrance for the siblings, known as 'Walkden's Little Angels'.

After news broke of Michelle's passing, flowers, candles and messages were left in her memory outside the home.

The balloon release and minute's silence will take place at 3pm, and Sandra said that everyone is welcome to attend.

A post via family friends read: "On Sunday 1st September 2019 at 3pm we will be doing a minute silence outside Michelle's house on Jackson Street followed by a balloon release.

"However, we are not supplying balloons so please bring your own.

Michelle died 20 months after the horrific attack on the family home (ABNM Photography)

"Also, we will be lighting candles, we can supply some, but again please bring your own if you wish.

"Flowers & cards also welcome. Let's truly show Michelle how much support she has had from the get go.

"The Pearson family would like to thank everybody for their ongoing support."

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