A RUNCORN mum critically injured in the Manchester terror attack faces up to 12 months surgery.

Joanne McSorley was waiting in the foyer of the Manchester Arena with her mum Sue to collect her two daughters Ellie, 16, and Libby, 11, at the Ariana Grande concert when the deadly blast exploded.

The 43-year-old suffered shrapnel injuries all over her body.

Both her arms and a leg were broken by the force of the suicide bomb detonated by Salman Abedi which killed 22 people and left more than 100 injured.

The mum-of-two suffered heavy bleeding.

Surgeons have told her family she will require plastic surgery to repair skin and soft tissue around the most serious wounds.

Her mum had surgery for deep shrapnel injuries to her hand and has now left hospital.

Joanne has been transferred to Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool.

Childhood friend Tracey McHarg is organising a family fun day from 4pm on Sunday, June 25 at The Devonshire Pub on Ashridge Street, Runcorn.

Mum-of-two Tracey, from the old town, who has known Joanne since the age of four, said: “We want to raise as much money as we can to help Joanne and her family.

“Her partner has had to take time off work and Joanne has a lot of operations to undergo.

“She can’t walk. Her family pushed her outside in a wheelchair so she could get some fresh air.”

The pair were classmates at St Clement’s Catholic Primary School and St Chad’s Catholic High School.

Joanne has worked as a teaching assistant at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Halton Brook for more than 20 years.

“Joanne taught my kids,” said Tracey. “She is a really generous and would help anyone.

“She is a really outgoing, bubbly person.

“A lot of her friends have come together to help me. We have had a fantastic response from people and businesses throughout the town.

“We are all rooting for her and wishing her a speedy recovery.”

John Bishop tickets, a Champions League football, £50 high street vouchers and restaurant vouchers are among raffle and auction prizes which have been donated.

A barbecue, tombola, crafts stall, karaoke disco, cakes and face painting are some of the other attractions.

Joanne’s family has welcomed her friends’ fundraising efforts.

Joanne’s sister-in-law Louise said: “Unfortuantely Joanne suffered terrible multi trauma injuries and is currently in critical care.

“So far she has required two operations with further surgery needed as she recovers.

“We as a family would like to raise as much as we can in order to help Joanne, Gareth her partner and children Ellie and Libby in what will be a long recovery ahead.

“Joanne has worked at Holy Spirt Primary School for over 20 years as a teaching assisant where she is much loved and highly regarded by staff and children.

“We would also like to thank everyone for their kind messages of support for the whole family.”

Joanne’s family has set up a crowdfunding appeal.

To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/louise-mcsorley-1/