Parade that will light town up for 'special little girl'

A charity truck run is set to take place in one area of Merseyside in a bid to raise money for a charity set up in the name of one of the victims of the Southport attack earlier this year. The annual Southport Truck Run is due to take place on Sunday, December 1, as hundreds line the roads of the town.

Each year the truck run raises hundreds of pounds for charity, but this year it has announced it will be raising money for the charity established in the name of Elsie Dot Stancombe who was one of three schoolgirls killed in a mass stabbing in the town during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

The seven-year-old, along with Bebe King, six, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, died as a result of their injuries, with eight children and two adults - Leanne Lucas and John Hayes - suffering injuries in the attack. The parents of Elsie, Jenni and Dave Stancombe, have since set up a charitable trust in the name of their daughter.

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Elsie's Story has been set up and registered with the Charity Commission as a way for her family to ensure her death is not in vain. In a statement on Instagram, the parents wrote: "The trust has been established with the principle objective being to make grants to causes in Elsie's name, the focus of which will be assistance to young people and support for others in the community and across the region. This will include community projects, medical care and support for individuals and families, good causes involving fun, and bringing the community together."

Steph Collinson, involved in the Truck Run, organised a GoFundMe for people to donate to, as well as there being collection buckets on the day of the parade through Southport. The trucks will set off at 4pm from Warren Farm in Formby before travelling down Southport Old Road, Liverpool Road, through Ainsdale village, continuing onto Liverpool Road and Waterloo Road.

It will then travel through the town centre down Lord Street and then along the Promenade before parking on Ocean Plaza for people to look at the vehicles and donate.

The organisers of the parade wrote on social media: "This year’s Christmas Parade is not just about festive cheer; it’s about giving back to the community and honouring a very special little girl, Elsie, whose kindness and love for others continue to inspire us all.

"Throughout the parade, there will be plenty of donation buckets for those who wish to contribute. All cash donations will go to Elsie’s Story, Charitable Trust, established in her memory after the devastating Southport attack."

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.