Southport Stabbing! Elsie’s Family Hold Funeral for ‘Truly Unforgettable’ Daughter
The funeral of Elsie Dot Stancombe, who died in the Southport knife attack, has taken place, with her parents paying their final respects to their “truly unforgettable” daughter.
This seven-year-old girl was one of three girls killed in a knife attack at Taylor Swift’s dance class last month.
Her family said they wanted to mark today as “Elsie’s special day” and celebrate her life.
Elsie’s coffin was carried to St John’s Church in Birkdale by a horse-drawn carriage – mourners were asked to wear pastel or bright colours and the streets were decorated with pink ribbons.
The choir and soloists sang songs including Wind Beneath My Wings and Songbird by Fleetwood Mac as they waited for the funeral cortege to arrive.
Elsie’s cheerleaders formed a guard of honour, while the family dog also stood outside the church.
At the end of the service, a singer sang Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” – one of Elsie’s favourite songs – while her coffin was carried through an arch made of balloons.
The church was packed with people and many moving tributes and readings were held.
Rev. Jenny Hardy recalled Elsie as “a little girl who loved big parties”, while teacher Katie Sykes said she “made everyone smile by just being herself”.
A eulogy titled “Elsie Dot from Mom and Dad” was also read.
“An amazing little girl”
She recalled that the seven-year-old “brought them nothing but happiness” and that her proudest moment was becoming a big sister.
“Your story does not end today. Her story is told every day by those who loved her.”
In a statement before the service, the family said their daughter lived with “determination, perseverance, love and kindness” every day.
“Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room she walked into and she was truly unforgettable,” they said.
The family also released a new photo of them with their mother Jenny, father David, a postman, and sister Rosie, three.
Her family said Elsie loved to dance and was “a dedicated dancer”, but her greatest passion was cheerleading.
“Her perseverance was admirable, from taking part in 3km and 10km charity runs for her local hospice to being in the school book band. She gave 100 per cent to everything she did and never gave up,” the family said.
“She showed always kindness”
Teacher Katie Sykes said at Friday’s service that Elsie was “always kind to everyone around her” and read memories from classmates.
A tribute from the Farnborough Road school in the days after the attack said Elsie was “loved” 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 last week’s for six-year-old Baby King and earlier in August for nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with triple murder and attempted murder of two adults and eight children.
King visited Southport this week
King visited Southport earlier this week and met with some of the children who survived the attack.
He also looked out at the sea of tributes outside town hall and thanked the emergency services who responded.
The tragedy sparked anti-immigrant protests, riots and counter-protests in the town after false information circulated that the attacker was an illegal immigrant.
