'AMAZING LITTLE GIRL'
Mourners in bright colours gather for funeral of Southport victim Elsie Dot Stancombe as family share emotional tribute
The family are celebrating ‘Elsie’s Special Day’
HEARTBROKEN mourners gathered for Southport stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe's funeral, after her family shared an emotional tribute.
Elsie, seven, was stabbed to death along with Bebe King, six, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, at a Taylor Swift-themed class in Southport on July 29.
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Today, the little girl's family are celebrating 'Elsie's Special Day' in her memory.
Mourners lined streets decorated with pink ribbons to celebrate the life of the seven-year-old girl.
A horse-drawn carriage arrived at St John's Church in Birkdale, near Southport, on Friday morning for the funeral of Elsie Dot Stancombe.
Her family walked behind the carriage in a procession from their home.
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People wearing bright and pastel colours and florals, after Elsie's family asked those attending not to wear black, gathered outside the church, where songs including Fleetwood Mac's Songbird were performed by singer Wendy Chalke as they waited for the cortege to arrive.
Among the mourners were members of the emergency services and Ibrahim Hussein, imam of Southport mosque - which was damaged in disorder the night after Elsie's death.
The family dog, Bobby, was also outside the church to see the procession arrive.
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.
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The Lighthouse Choir performed From Now On, from The Greatest Showman, and Wind Beneath My Wings, which was played on speakers outside the church as people entered.
In a heart-wrenching statement, the family said earlier: "Elsie embraced life and it is with positivity, hope and love that we celebrate her life today, 23rd August, on ‘Elsie’s Special Day’.
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"Elsie spent every day just simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness.
"Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable.
"She loved to dance, and it goes without saying she was a devoted ‘Swiftie’, she was always up for anything and gave every activity a go, we went to them all.
"She found her real passion in cheerleading, her weekly classes couldn’t come around quick enough.
"Her persistence was admirable, from completing a 3k run and 10k charity walk for her local hospice, as well as moving up books bands in school, everything she did she gave 100% and would never give up.
"Our family affirmation is ‘as long as you try your best, enjoy yourself and have fun, nothing else matters’.
"‘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.
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"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."
The funeral details were released yesterday as King Charles met the families of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice at Clarence House in London.
Following her death, Elsie’s dad told colleagues his daughter he wanted them to know “just how wonderful a little girl and loving daughter Elsie was.
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“She was the most polite young girl you could ever meet and was loved by everyone - she lit up every room she entered. Elsie was chosen to be a part of every single school play and was also a member of the school council.”
King Charles visited Southport to show his support to the grieving families of all the victims and the residents of the usually peaceful town.
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