Elsie Dot Stancombe: Southport victim's family hold funeral for 'truly unforgettable' daughter

The funeral of Elsie Dot Stancombe, who died in the Southport attack, has taken place as her parents paid tribute to their “truly unforgettable” daughter.

The seven-year-old was one of three girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last month.

Her family said they wanted today to be known as “Elsie’s Special Day” and a celebration of her life.

Elsie’s coffin was carried to St John’s Church in Birkdale on a horse-drawn carriage – with mourners asked to wear pastel or bright colours and the streets adorned with pink ribbons.

A choir and soloist performed songs including Wind Beneath My Wings and Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird as they waited for the cortege to arrive.

Elsie’s cheerleading group formed a guard of honour, while the family’s dog was also outside the church.

At the end of the service, a singer performed Taylor Swift’s Love Story – one of Elsie’s favourite songs – as her coffin was carried out through an archway of balloons.

The church was full to capacity and featured a number of moving tributes and readings.

Reverend Jennie Hardy remembered how Elsie was “a little girl who loved a big party” while teacher Katie Sykes said she “made everybody smile just by being her”.

A tribute – entitled Elsie Dot by Mum and Dad – was also read out.

‘An amazing little girl’

It recalled how the seven-year-old “brought them nothing but happiness” and that her proudest moment was becoming a big sister.

“Her story does not end here today. Her story will be told every single day by those who loved her,” it said.

In a statement before the service, the family said their daughter lived every day 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,” they said.

The family also released a new image showing her with mum Jenni, dad David – a postman, and three-year-old sister Rosie.

Her family said Elsie loved to dance and was “a devoted Swifie” – but that her big passion was cheerleading.

“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,” said the family.

‘Always showed kindness’

Teacher Katie Sykes told Friday’s service Elsie “always showed kindness to everyone around her” and read out memories from her classmates.

A tribute by Farnborough Road School in the days after the attack said Elsie was “adored” by her friends.

Her family said the “overwhelming response” since her death showed the “light, love and joy” their daughter brought to people.

Bubbles fill sky as hundreds gather outside church

By Charlotte Leeming, north of England correspondent

Hundreds lined the streets to say goodbye to a little girl who made such a huge impact on so many during her young life.

In a deeply personal service at the church where she was baptised, Elsie Dot was described as honest, bright, kind and loving.

Elsie adored cheerleading and her friends formed a guard of honour as her small coffin, with a plushie toy on top, was carried into the church along a pink carpet and through an archway of rainbow balloons.

The service heard how Elsie loved pink and dozens of mourners wore the colour as they packed the church to say goodbye.

The streets too were decorated with baby pink bows and ribbons and balloons. And bubbles filled the sky outside as hundreds of people listened to the service on loudspeakers.

It was particularly poignant as the service ended with a rendition of Taylor Swift song Love Story.

Tributes to Elsie described a girl who brought others joy and happiness. Her family said her sparkle would always shine.

This community in Southport have once again shown their determination to support the families of the three little girls who lost their lives.

Elsie’s family also thanked the local community for their support and said they were proud to live in Southport.

Her funeral follows those held for six-year-old Bebe King last week and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar earlier in August.

An 18-year-old, Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with three counts of murder as well as the attempted murder of two adults and eight children.

The King visited Southport earlier this week and met some of the children who survived the attack.

He also looked at the sea of tributes outside the town hall and thanked emergency services who responded.

The tragedy sparked anti-immigration protests, riots and counter-protests in town and cities after false information circulated that the attacker was an illegal immigrant.