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.
Members of Elsie’s cheerleading squad formed a guard of honour. 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, 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, 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.
Members of the emergency services were at the service. Pic: PA
Pic: PA
Pic: PA
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.
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. Pic: PA
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.
