“I LIVE life for the two of us – I like to think that I’m carrying her with me throughout everything that I do.”

Manchester bombing survivor Freya Lewis appeared on ITV this morning and remembered her best friend Nell Jones from Goostrey – one of the 22 people who died in the blast.

Freya, from Holmes Chapel, was just three metres away from the terrorist who detonated the bomb at an Ariana Grande concert on the night of May 22, 2017.

She suffered 29 injuries – including two broken legs, a broken arm, burns, eye and facial injuries - was in a coma, and was wheelchair-bound for three months.

Now, almost five years since the tragedy, Freya is getting ready to run a 10k for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity – which she described as ‘the hospital that saved her life’ when she spoke on Lorraine about the event.

This year’s run coincides with the anniversary of the attack on Sunday.

“It doesn’t feel like five years ago,” said Freya.

“In some ways that feels like another life, but I think on the day of the run it will really hit home that it’s the anniversary.

Northwich Guardian: Nell Jones, Freya's best friend, died in the Manchester Arena attackNell Jones, Freya's best friend, died in the Manchester Arena attack

“I always get nervous around that time of year and of course it’s on my mind, but I think it’s nice this year we will be doing something celebratory on the anniversary – raising lots of money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity as a ‘thank you’ to all the people who saved my life.”

Freya, now aged 19, will be running with parents Nick and Alison, sister Georgia, Georgia’s boyfriend Nathan, auntie Elaine and university friends Summer Finley and Ilisha Chauhan.

The family, who live in Holmes Chapel, have collectively raised £65,279.25 over the years, supported by friends, Freya’s school and the proceeds from her book launch – ‘What Makes Us Stronger’.

Speaking on Lorraine about her book, Freya said she had become a much more appreciative person since the Manchester Arena attack, and always makes sure to tell her family and friends she loves them.

She said: “I think I’m more loving, and hopefully a better daughter and sister and friend.

“I like to remind everyone in my life that I love them because you never know.”

She told the programme her last memory of Nell before the attack was Nell telling her she loved her and how it had been ‘the best night of her life’.

“It’s something I’ll be forever grateful for,” Freya added.

“I’ve never seen her so happy, she was wonderful.”

To sponsor Freya and her family visit justgiving.com/fundraising/nicholas-lewis10.