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Mourners have lined streets decorated with pink ribbons as a special day is held to celebrate the life of a seven-year-old killed in the Southport knife attack.
A horse-drawn carriage arrived at St John’s Church in Birkdale, near Southport, on Friday morning for the funeral of Elsie Dot Stancombe.
Hundreds lined the streets of Southport to remember seven-year-old Elsie, described by her grieving family as a “truly unforgettable” girl who enjoyed her life with “determination, persistence, love and kindness”.
A procession led by two white horses adorned with colourful feathers passed through Birkdale towards the church for the service. After it ends, the procession will pass through the floral tribute site outside Southport’s Atkinson arts centre.
A group in cheerleader outfits – an activity which family said Elsie had a passion for – were pictured in tears as they awaited her funeral procession in Birkdale.
Ambulance staff and police officers also lined the streets to pay their respects to the seven-year-old described by her family in a statement released on Friday as an “amazing little girl” with the ability to “light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable”.
Elsie’s family, including parents David and Jenni and three-year-old sister Rosie, called on friends, family and locals to celebrate ‘Elsie’s Special Day’ with “positivity, hope and love”.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, were also killed after being attacked while attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Eight other children and two adults were injured in the attack, but all have now been released from hospital.
Elsie’s is the final funeral of the three and is taking place at St John’s Church in Birkdale, near Southport, with the service also being screened at church hall and Liverpool Road Methodist Church for others to pay their respects.
Her coffin, wrapped in colourful fabric and with a large cuddly toy, was carried into the church just before 10am this morning.
The family have requested that people don’t wear black for the service, and instead opt for pastel or bright colours.
In a statement, Elsie’s family said she “loved to dance” and was a “devoted ‘Swiftie’”, adding that she was “up for anything and gave every activity a go”.
She was a passionate cheerleader, a keen reader, and had completed a 3k run and 10k charity walk to raise money for her local hospice. “Everything she did she gave 100 per cent and would never give up,” the family said.
A black-and-white photo of the family was released alongside the statement, showing Elsie grinning in front of her happy parents, as her young sister pulls faces in her dad’s arms.
“Our family affirmation is ‘as long as you try your best, enjoy yourself and have fun, nothing else matters’,” the statement continued.
“‘We are the four best friends in the whole wide world’ – and that mantra will remain with us for the rest of our lives, sound in the knowledge that Elsie is here with us and forever will be in our hearts.
“Elsie has brought light, love and joy to so many lives and it has been clear to us in the overwhelming response from everybody that knew her and everybody within the community.
“We will be always be grateful for the love and support we have had over these past weeks, and we are and will continue to be proud to live in Southport.
“To that end, Elsie’s legacy will continue and as a family we will ensure that her impact and legacy endures with positivity and hope, and with Elsie by our side forever and always.”
18-year-old Axel Rudakubana was arrested at the scene and has been charged with the murders of the three girls, the attempted murder of 10 others, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
