Murdered Southport victim’s ‘beautiful spirit’ will live on through charity spreading happiness and hope, say parents

THE “beautiful spirit” of a girl murdered in the Southport massacre will live on through a charity spreading happiness and hope, her parents say.

Elsie Dot Stancombe’s mum and dad, Jenni and David Stancombe, have set up a charitable trust in her name, Elsie’s Story.

They say it will ensure the vibrancy and love of the seven-year-old is never forgotten — as needy kids will benefit from financial grants.

Funds will also support community projects.

Jenni and David said: “We want to continue Elsie’s story — her positivity, love for others and energy of life.

“We will be funding activities, essential resources and special experiences that bring happiness and hope.

“Every grant we give, every smile we create and life we touch is a reflection of her legacy.”

The Stancombes are to be interviewed today by Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain.

David, 36, is also running the London Marathon in April in Elsie’s memory — already raising more than £5,300 for her charity.

In 2023, Elsie ran a 3km fundraiser with him dressed in a Father Christmas outfit.

An online appeal for his London run says: “Elsie loved watching the London Marathon with her dad and said she wanted him to run it one day in honour of her Nan to raise money for charity.

“Elsie was a natural fundraiser, always giving and always helping.

“She raised so much for ­charity and now we’re following in her footsteps.

“We’re running to raise awareness and support for Elsie’s Story Charitable Trust — which continues to make a positive difference in the community.”

Meanwhile, Jenni, 35, revealed her daughter was not due to attend the Taylor Swift-themed dance class targeted by the killer.

When the mother of one of Elsie’s friends asked if she would be going, Jenni realised she had not got a ticket and knew it was sold out.

Her daughter was a huge Taylor Swift fan, so her mother messaged teacher Leanne Lucas to ask if there were any spaces left.

Everything she did was pure enthusiasm. It could be the most boring thing — even, like, taking the bins out — and it was like, ‘I’ll come’. She was grateful for life

Elsie's dad David

Sobbing, Jenni revealed Leanne’s reply that has haunted her since: “No problem.

“I’ll always have a place for Elsie.”

Jenni said: “I just always think, if she’d given it away . . . but then I’d never have wished this on anybody else.”

Father David said of Elsie: “Everything she did was pure enthusiasm.

“It could be the most boring thing — even, like, taking the bins out — and it was like, ‘I’ll come’.

“She was grateful for life.

“Everyone says it, don’t they, that they’re one of a kind. But she truly was.”

David added: “You know you say to your kids every day, every night, ‘I won’t let anything ­happen to you’?

“How could I say that to Elsie’s sibling now?”

Six-year-old Bebe King and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed along with Elsie.

Bebe’s mother said of her daughter: “She was the most positive, bubbliest girl and we have to honour that.”

After Bebe died, her parents — who cannot be named for legal reasons — spent a week with her body in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s bereavement suite.

They were able to hold her hand, and had Bebe christened.

The grieving families have since taken comfort in the support of the Royal Family, with the Princess of Wales visiting them in her first public engagement since finishing her chemotherapy sessions.

Elsie’s dad David said of Kate’s visit: “That meant so much to Jenni, because it was her first ­public appearance.

“I won’t say what they said to us, but what they shared with us was really, really powerful, and it was heartfelt.

“It meant a lot.”

The families have welcomed plans for a public inquiry into the stabbings.

None has been able to return to work since.