Ariana Grande fan, 17, caught in Manchester bombing is missing out on tribute concert after 10,000 sickos falsely claim to be survivors
A 17-YEAR-OLD victim of the Manchester bombing has been refused a ticket to Ariana Grande's tribute concert thanks to opportunists and sick touts.
General sale tickets for the gig sold out in just minutes yesterday, and Ticketmaster received 10,000 false applications for free tickets for those who attended the original concert at the Manchester Arena.
John Alesbury, 52, from Levenshulme, was with his 17-year-old daughter Ava, from Heywood, at the concert targeted by evil Salman Abedi on March 22.
The horrific attack saw 22 people lose their lives, with a One Love tribute concert at the Emirates Old Trafford being held on Sunday in their memory.
But Mr Alesbury is not going to be able to claim the free tickets for the gig because he purchased his original tickets with cash in person at the Manchester Arena box office.
Those applying free tickets for Sunday's event were asked for a booking reference number which he does not have.
Speaking to the the dad said: “She’s a strong girl but I can tell she’s heartbroken. Music is her life. She looks after her disabled mum so it is her only escape.
“It’s been a tough week. She broke down when she got home on Monday.
"And this new concert being announced had really cheered her up. She loves music and she loves Manchester so it would have been great for her.
“But now she’s devastated at the thought of not going.
"We’re not touts or chancers. We were there and it’s so frustrating everyone that so many people who weren’t are getting tickets and we can’t.”
Ticketmaster yesterday revealed 14,200 tickets had been set aside for those at last week's Ariana Grande concert - but they had received more than 25,000 applications to attend Sunday's gig for free.
A spokesperson said: "Sadly, over 10,000 unscrupulous applications have been made.
"At Ticketmaster we are doing everything we can – including extending today’s deadline - to ensure that tickets go to the actual fans and not the opportunists or touts who have also been applying for free tickets."
Fans eager to attend the concert were disappointed when they were unable to buy tickets to the concert, claiming the website had kicked them out of the virtual queue.
One hopeful vented:"I knew it was going to be hard to get tickets but Ticketmaster aren't helping by kicking people off the website either".
Another added: "Tried so hard for one love tickets but ticketmaster crashed and didnt even let me on the page".
Another ticket hopeful wrote: "Was literally on the ticket buying screen and it kicked me off back in the queue wtf ticketmaster sort it out".
As of around 10.20am, the website was only listing its VIP major donor tickets which are priced at £2,500.
Other fans who had been able to register for free attendance to the event also raised concerns they hadn't been able to redeem their tickets - with Ticketmaster saying some applications had not been able to be verified.
The registration was opened again until 2pm.
It is hoped the concert, which will charge £40 per ticket, will raise at least £2million with all proceeds to be donated to the British Red Cross Society.
Grande released a statement to announce the performance, saying: "My heart, prayers and deepest condolences are with the victims of the Manchester Attack and their loved ones.
"There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you are feeling or to make this better.
"However, I extend my hand and heart and everything I possibly can give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way."
She added: "I’ll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honour of and to raise money for the victims and their families."
The event will be broadcast live on BBC TV and radio as well as Capital radio, and streamed online.