The estranged mother of a homeless man who risked his life to help children injured in the Manchester terror attack is hoping to be reunited with him later today.

Eastern Daily Press: Chris Parker, who rushed to help victims of the Manchester terror attack. Picture: Sonya Duncan/Jessica ParkerChris Parker, who rushed to help victims of the Manchester terror attack. Picture: Sonya Duncan/Jessica Parker (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Jessica Parker, who lives at Gilman Road in Sprowston, spotted her son Chris on the news after he rushed to help the victims of a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert.

He had been begging in the foyer of the Manchester Arena when the bomb went off on Monday night, and told how he helped a young girl who had lost her legs in the blast.

Now, Mrs Parker, who is desperate to be reunited with her 33-year-old son, is planning to travel up to Manchester this afternoon to meet him for the first time in five years.

But she said it will still depend on whether he wanted to see her.

'As soon as he says 'I want you here' I will be on the next train,' Mrs Parker said.

'But we have not had any real contact for a long time, and so to have me suddenly turn up is a bit more pressure on him.

'I miss him and I just want to make sure he is alright.'

Mrs Parker said her son lived in Norwich until he was seven and attended the Colman Infant School.

He has been hailed as a hero by many and more than £44,000 has been raised through a crowdfunding campaign to support him.

Mrs Parker said the money would be 'life-changing' for her son, but was concerned about the impact it could have.

'He has never had that much before so I think he will be overwhelmed by it all,' she said.

'But it could go the other way with him, and I don't know Chris' circumstances.

'The charities I have spoken to are of the same opinion that the money needs to be managed properly.'

Mrs Parker said she had been in touch with her son's ex-girlfriend, who was in regular contact with him.

She said he had been 'unable to fathom' all of the attention he was receiving and was not able to think straight.

Recalling the bombing, Mr Parker said he heard a bang and saw a white flash, before people started screaming.

'It knocked me to the floor and then I got up and instead of running away my gut instinct was to run back and try and help,' he said.