Alice, Bebe and Elsie: Three little girls we will never forget

As it approaches four weeks on from the Southport attack, this week saw the last of the three tragic schoolgirls laid to rest. Monday, July 29, 2024, is a date that will long live in the memories of the people of Southport and a date that will never leave the minds of the grieving families of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe.

What should have been the start of the summer holidays for the girls, aged nine, six and seven years old respectively, turned to horror after they were attacked while attending a Taylor Swift dance class. The mass stabbing that took place at The Hart Space on Hart Street shortly before midday not only took three innocent children from their parents, siblings and families but injured eight other children, and two adults and scarred many more in the process.

In the days that followed, people across the town paid tribute to the children involved in the attack, even leading to superstar Taylor Swift taking the time to remember the lives of her young fans. Visits from Primer Minister Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and recently King Charles amplifies the want, and need, to comfort those who have suffered at the hands of this crime.

But as the funerals came around, it was the families and the community who felt the ripples of this tragedy, tears were shed and heartfelt eulogies were heard. Alice Da Silva Aguiar's funeral was the first to be held, taking place within two weeks of the attack on Sunday, August 11, at St Patrick's Church on Marshside Road.

The funeral announcement had been shared across social media in the days leading up to the service, with people invited to pay tribute to the nine-year-old outside the church following a moving private vigil held in the church on the Tuesday prior. The service remained invite-only, with family members attending as well as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy, Southport MP Patrick Hurley and Alice's headteacher at Churchtown Primary School, Jinnie Payne who all paid tribute to the young girl.

Ms Payne read a poem she'd written called "Here Comes Alice" which highlighted her "seven qualities" which included the girl's smile and enthusiasm for life. She finished it, holding back her tears: "The time has come to say ‘there goes Alice’. We are letting you go dancing now, Alice. Teach those angels a few dance moves.

"Keep daydreaming, Alice, it’s a magical place to be, in your own thoughts. Make magic every day with your teacher pointer, Alice, and we will feel the power of your magic ability. Let your beaming smile guide you, Alice, and shine brightly on us all."

Following Ms Payne's emotional reading, Alice's parent's eulogy was read to the congregation. It said: "Dear Alice, you were our perfect dream child, everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived. A good girl, with strong values and kind nature. A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.

"Being around you was a privilege, we cherished every milestone. You completed us. In nine short years we never needed time off from you. We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too. And if we did, we’d always do it separately so you could have one of us always next to you."

The week after Alice's funeral saw the announcement of Bebe King's service, which was a private event, with members of the public and press asked to respect the families wishes for a private ceremony. Ahead of the funeral, Bebe's parents, Lauren and Ben King, paid tribute to their daughter and revealed her sister had also been at the yoga studio during the attack. They also, in lieu of allowing members of the public and press to the funeral, asked for people to light a candle at 11am, in memory of their daughter.

They said: "On Monday, the 29th of July, our world was shattered by the loss of our precious daughter, Bebe. Along with two other beautiful souls, Elsie and Alice, she was taken from us in an unimaginable act of violence that has left our hearts broken beyond repair. Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore."

The parents of Bebe continued to thank the community for their "outpouring of love and support" following the devastating attack that took their daughter from them They continued: "We want to acknowledge our older daughter, Genie, who witnessed the attack and managed to escape. She has shown such incredible strength and courage, and we are so proud of her. Her resilience is a testament to the love and bond she shared with her little sister, and we will continue to support her as we navigate this painful journey together as a family.

"Our thoughts are also with everyone else involved in this tragedy and all those who were injured. We hope that they find strength and healing in the days ahead. To the children who witnessed this terrible event, we send our love and hope that they too can begin to heal, surrounded by the care and support of those who love them."

The tribute continued to thank emergency services for their efforts on the day of the attack, as well as to those who had left tributes and messages to the family. Bebe's funeral took place six days on from Alice's at St Cuthbert's Church in Churchtown, Southport, with the family asking people in the community to keep the six-year-old in their thoughts come 11am when the service began by lighting a candle.

Just days after Bebe's funeral, King Charles visited the town where he paid his respects, but during the clamour of the royal visit, the sad announcement arrived that the funeral of the third and final fatality of the attack would come before the end of the week. It was shared on social media that Elsie's funeral would be held on Friday, August 23, named "Elsie's Special Day".

Taking place at St John's Church, the family had been meticulous when planning how people could be involved. A close family friend told the ECHO on August 5: "She was a Red, along with her family. She had visited Anfield and often wore her kit with pride, along with her little sister, Rosie.

"Elsie was unforgettable, she was the type of little girl who everyone knew, friendly and chatty, she was able to speak and chat with the grown-ups as well as laugh and dance with her friends, which she had many of. She was confident and had such a warmth around her, which is why so many people have been affected by this. Quite frankly, she was just loved by so many."

The clouds parted, rain halted and the sun shone down on Elsie's coffin as it was carried into the church. Mourners filled the small residential street in Birkdale, with colour bright enough for all to see as people took the opportunity to not just say goodbye to the schoolgirl they all fondly remembered, but to celebrate her life in style.

Members of Elsie’s cheerleading group, Vortex Cheer, formed a guard of honour as the coffin, topped with a blue cuddly toy, was carried into the church, down a pink carpet and through a balloon arch, with bubbles in the air.

Elsie's dog, Bobby, who she brought home and cared for, watched on as she was carried into the church, decorated with pink ribbons, balloons and flowers draped across the outside and inside of the building. People poured into the church as they prepared to say their final goodbyes to the schoolgirl.

As reverend Jennie Hardy said in her opening tribute her send off was an "Elsie-fest" just how her last birthday was, with Jenni and Dave putting together a moving tribute to their daughter, read by Emily Ridgway on behalf of the heartbroken parents. She told the service: "Elsie’s proudest moment came when she found out she was being given the title ‘big sister’. As any of us who are big sisters will know, it’s an incredibly privileged title to have and one that she was so excited for.

“She absolutely adored her little sister Rosie, she doted on her, mothered her and loved her like no-one else could. The three best friends became four best friends and family time together was so, so precious. Elsie and Rosie have grown up with their parents showing them how to truly live, how to embrace everything that life throws at you and to always, always be there for one another.”

Tributes were made by Elsie's former teacher Katie Sykes, Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Chris Greene and Farnborough Road Infant School headteacher Jennie Sephton who read a poem called "We Only Want You". It was a day that will be remembered by all, with the service ending with one of Elsie's favourite songs, "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. Elsie left the church, followed by her family, and onto a private service in Burscough.

The three girls who lost their lives in the brutal and senseless attack in Southport have left holes that will never be filled for the families and friends they leave behind. The outpouring of emotion from not just those close to Alice, Bebe and Elsie, but the entire town of Southport and the wider world has shown the love and care that people have for those who have been scarred by the events that unfolded almost four weeks ago. It is hopefully only a matter of time before a permanent memorial is created within the town, ensuring Alice, Bebe and Elsie, will never be forgotten.