The family of a girl of seven killed in the Southport stabbings today paid tribute to their ‘amazing and truly unforgettable’ daughter ahead of her funeral.
Elsie Dot Stancombe died alongside Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, after an attacker went on the rampage at the Taylor-Swift holiday club they were taking part in last month.
Today Elsie’s parents, Jenni and David, youngster sister, Rosie, three, and extended family and friends will ‘celebrate her life’ at a service at St John’s Church, in Birkdale, near Southport.
Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets near the church to pay their respects after the couple urged the community to come together on ‘Elsie’s Special Day.’
Ahead of the service Mr and Mrs Stancombe released a new poignant black and white image of their family, describing themselves as the ‘the four best friends in the whole wide world.’
They added that Elsie would be ‘forever in our hearts.’
‘Elsie spent every day just simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness,’ they said.
‘Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable.’
The couple, who are understood to have met Elsie’s pop hero Taylor Swift at Wembley this week, said their daughter was a ‘devoted Swiftie’ who loved to dance.
They said she ‘gave every activity a go’ but her real passion was cheerleading, adding: ‘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 book bands in school, everything she did she gave 100 per cent 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,’ – 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’s family will walk behind her cortege from her home to the church, where a pink carpet has been laid for the occasion.
Royal Mail staff will also pay tribute when the cortege passes as Mr Stancombe is a postal worker.
Liverpool Lighthouse choir will perform at the service, while a singer and pianist will also play some of Elsie’s favourite songs, including by Taylor Swift.
Elsie’s family also thanked the Southport community for their support since her death, on July 29.
‘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,’ they added.
‘We will 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.’
Reverend Jennie Hardy, who will preside over the church service, told BBC Radio Merseyside that Elsie’s parents had described her as an ‘extraordinary little girl’.
Ms Hardy said they had told her she was ‘very kind-natured’ and ‘would look after other people’.
She added: ‘She loved chatting, she loved having fun. She loved a party and a celebration.
‘She was unusual in some ways that she could really connect and converse with adults along with children.
‘She was wise beyond her years; emotionally intelligent and just an absolute joy to be around.’
The service will be live-screened at St John’s Church Hall and Liverpool Road Methodist Church in Birkdale.
Elsie’s family will go on to a private service in Burscough.
A vigil is also planned at The Atkinson arts centre in Lord Street in Southport later.
Eight other children and two adults were seriously injured during the knife attack.
On Wednesday the parents of Elsie, Bebe and Alice had a private meeting with King Charles following his visit to the town a day earlier.
The Monarch examined the sea of floral tributes, teddy bears and balloons outside Southport Town Hall, before meeting survivors and emergency service workers who responded to the attack. He also signed a book of condolence.
Charles previously said he had been ‘profoundly shocked’ to hear of the ‘utter horrific incident’ and sent his ‘prayers’ to those affected.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder, plus possession of a knife, and is due to stand trial next year.