READING the incredible stories of young people going above and beyond for others, Saffie Roussos’ parents knew they had found the perfect way to honour their daughter’s legacy.
The Sun’s inaugural Saffie’s Smile awards last year highlighted a generation filled with courage and compassion, just like the little eight-year-old girl they are named after.
Saffie-Rose Roussos, eight, was the youngest victim to die in the Manchester Arena attack – after going with her elder sister Ashlee and mum Lisa to her first ever concert[/caption]
The Sun launched Saffie’s Smile in 2024 by flying the Roussos family to New York, where they had enjoyed a memorable trip with their daughter a year before she died[/caption]
Andrew and Lisa Roussos, whose beloved girl Saffie was the youngest victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, chose 16-year-old carer Ruby Reid as their winner.
And now they are starting a new search for another worthy recipient of the Saffie’s Smile gong.
We launched the awards in 2024 by flying the Roussos family to New York, where they had enjoyed a memorable trip with their daughter a year before she died.
We arranged for the schoolgirl’s image to be beamed out from a billboard in Times Square on July 4, to mark what would have been her 16th birthday.
A year on, the couple have reflected on the special trip in new book Saffie, written by Sunday Times journalist David Collins, and described how it marked a turning point in their painful journey.
It always upset us, the thought that in the wider world, her picture and name will forever be associated with such a terrible incident
Dad Andrew
Andrew said: “When The Sun started the discussions about the award, and making the return trip to New York to launch it, it was like a light switched on for us both.
“We couldn’t have imagined a more fitting way to mark Saffie’s birthday and continue her legacy. Everything about it felt right.
United in pride
“As a family we wanted to do something positive, something uplifting and joyful. Because that is who Saffie was. She was a very giving and loving child.
“It always upset us, the thought that in the wider world, her picture and name will forever be associated with such a terrible incident.
“We wanted to change that, and this award has been a really healing experience for us.”
In the book, Andrew remembers the moment he took Saffie to Times Square for first time and how the little girl was entranced with the bustle and bright lights.
He said: “Saffie loved to explore and see new things. She loved big cities of a nighttime when all the lights were switched on.
“I remember the first time we all went to New York. I waited for dusk before I took her to Times Square.
“As we turned the corner, I covered her eyes. What can I say? That look of amazement will stay with me forever . . . ”
Now, together with the Roussos, we have opened Saffie’s Smile for a second year running. We want to find and celebrate a young person devoted to helping others, or who has shown amazing courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Our star winner will be treated to a family holiday for four worth up to £5,000 courtesy of On The Beach, while three runners-up will get theme park passes to a Merlin park of their choice.
Lisa said: “We are looking for young people who embody that spirit of helping others.
“It might be a young person who has done incredible fundraising, or someone who has overcome really difficult circumstances — just the kind of qualities that Saffie has of uplifting others.
“Probably the sort of person who thinks they don’t deserve it. That is exactly the person that would be a worthy winner.”
As a Manchester-based business, holiday firm On The Beach was delighted to provide the first prize.
Chief customer officer Zoe Harris said: “We’re incredibly proud to support Saffie’s Smile, honouring Saffie’s memory and celebrating other incredible young people who go above and beyond to help others.
As a family, we wanted to do something positive
and joyful. Because that is who Saffie was. She was a very giving and loving child
Dad Andrew
“With our head office and many of our employees based in Manchester, the events of the attack deeply touched us all, and Saffie’s legacy has continued to inspire.
“We’re honoured to play a small part in this initiative and can’t wait to hear the stories of the remarkable young nominees who bring light and hope to those around them.”
The Sun was flooded with entries last year, and the Roussos read them all. After some tough decision making, they picked Ruby — who poignantly happened to share a birthday with Saffie — as their winner.
She is caring for her mother, who has a long-term health condition, and had also overcome bullying at school and a struggle with depression.
Ruby Reid, 16, from Cornwall was nominated by her mum Emma Reid 49 for the Saffie’s Smile Award[/caption]
With the help of therapy, Ruby, of St Blazey, Cornwall, has rebuilt her strength and is now studying for a diploma in animal care.
Andrew said: “We felt her character was, and is, so much like Saffie’s.
“She’s been through such a lot, and to keep on smiling through all that is amazing, particularly at just 16 years old. It’s an inner strength that not many people have, particularly young people. And it just felt right.”
Andrew and Lisa said our Saffie’s Smile competition and the experience of writing their book has helped them look to the future.
Andrew explained: “We have been through unimaginable pain, then the frustrations of the public inquiry into the bombing were immense.
“But at some point, you have to draw the line, somehow. I still get very angry about things, but if it is all you focus on, it will send you over the edge.”
Andrew and Lisa left Manchester for Dorset after the bombings because the memories became too painful.
Saffie is still a huge part of their lives, and they have a bedroom for her in their new home.
The walls are covered in their beloved daughter’s doodles and photographs.
Lisa said their family, which also includes son Xander, 19, Lisa’s daughter Ashlee, 33, and granddaughter Ever-Rose, four, have grieved in very different ways.
But they are united in their pride at keeping Saffie’s spirit alive.
- Saffie: The Youngest Victim Of The Manchester Terror Attack And Her Family’s Fight For Justice, by David Collins (Silvertail Books, £12.99), is out April 24.
NOMINATE A SPECIAL YOUNGSTER
IN Saffie’s memory, we want to hear YOUR stories about incredible young people who go above and beyond.
Do you know a caring kid, aged 16 or under, who deserves recognition?
Perhaps they have done something amazing for their community, arranged a special surprise for loved ones, raised funds for a good cause, or brought joy to school pals by pulling off an impressive feat.
To nominate someone for a Saffie’s Smile Award, go to thesun.co.uk/saffie.
One winner gets a family holiday worth up to £5,000 courtesy of On The Beach.
Three runners-up get Merlin theme park experiences.
Entries close May 26.
See thesun.co.uk/saffie or scan the QR code
- Terms & conditions apply to thesun.co.uk/terms.