Poet who helped unite Manchester after the Arena bomb attack awarded honorary doctorate

A poet whose words helped bring the people of Greater Manchester together following last year's Arena bomb attack is being honoured by the University of Salford.

Tony Walsh is receiving an honorary Doctor of Letters degree during a ceremony at The Lowry on July 19 in recognition of his services to the art form.

He's performed at music and literary events around Europe and leads poetry workshops in schools internationally as well as in prisons, homeless shelters and care units.

He later 'gifted' the poem to the people of Greater Manchester, ensuring any royalties would go to the Forever Manchester charity which funds community projects.

Proceeds from the sale of items featuring lines from the poem have so far raised £200,000 for the charity along with the We Love MCR Emergency Fund and The Greater Manchester Mayor's Homelessness Fund.

Tony also performed at the One Love benefit concert organised by Ariana Grande two weeks after the bomb attack, as well as at the reopening of Manchester Arena.