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 be 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.
Pic: PA
Pic: PA
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 for her coffin, while the family’s dog was also outside the church.
Elsie with her mum Jenni, dad David and three-year-old sister Rosie. Pic: Mersyside Police
(L-R) Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King.
Pic: Merseyside Police
At the end of the service, the singer performed Taylor Swift’s Love Story as Elsie’s coffin left the church through an archway of balloons.
In a statement earlier, her family said their daughter “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,” they said.
A new image was released showing her with mum Jenni, dad David – a postman, and three-year-old sister Rosie.
Members of the emergency services were at the service. Pic: PA
The order of service. Pic: PA
Her family said Elsie loved to dance and was “a devoted Swifie” who also had a big passion for 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.
Teacher Katie Sykes paid tribute to Elsie during Friday’s service, recalling how she “always showed kindness to everyone around her” and reading out memories from her classmates.
“She made everybody smile just by being her,” said Ms Sykes.
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.
They also thanked the community for their support and said they were proud to live in Southport.
Elsie’s 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 murder and attempted murder over the attack.
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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 to the attack.
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.
