The funeral of a seven-year old girl has flooded the streets of Southport with mourners, as they gathered to celebrate her life with ‘positivity, hope and love’ nearly a month after she was killed in a horror knife attack.
Grieving locals, emergency services and sobbing members of little Elsie Dot Stancombe’s cheerleading troop lined the sides of the road as her carriage was led by horses adorned with rainbows.
Behind the procession, lines of grieving friends trooped in a procession, wearing light colours that matched the pink ribbons tied to lampposts along the route.
The tiny coffin, dressed in a light, multicoloured shroud, was carried into St John’s Church, in Birkdale, near Southport on the shoulders of four men.
Elsie’s family paid tribute to their ‘amazing and truly unforgettable’ daughter ahead of her funeral.
She 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.
Grieving locals, emergency services and sobbing members of little Elsie Dot Stancombe’s cheerleading troop lined the sides of the road as her carriage was led by horses adorned with rainbows
The coffin of Southport stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe arrives for her funeral at St John’s Church in Birkdale
The tiny coffin, dressed in a light, multicoloured shroud, was carried into St John’s Church, in Birkdale, near Southport on the shoulders of four men
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
The horse-drawn hearse waits outside during a celebration of Elsie Dot Stancombe at St John’s Church
A singer performs outside the church ahead of the funeral of the seven-year-old girl Elsie Dot Stancombe
Mourners walk behind the horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin of Southport stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe
The horse-drawn hearse arrives for a celebration of Elsie Dot Stancombe at St John’s Church
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.’ Pictured: The order of service
Members of the emergency services and the public line the streets for the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe
Today her parents, Jenni and David, youngster sister, Rosie, three, and extended family and friends will ‘celebrate her life’ at the service.
Hundreds of people lined the streets near the church to pay their respects after the couple urged the community to come together on ‘Elsie’s Special Day.’
As the cortege walked down St John’s Road, Dancing in the Sky rang out across the close-knit town.
Her cheerleading group did a guard of honour when her coffin arrived, the Liverpool Echo reports.
A pink carpet was rolled out in front of the church to welcome mourners, as they celebrated the little girl’s life.
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.
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.’ Pictured: Elsie with mother Jenni, father David and younger sister Rosie, aged three
Behind the procession, lines of grieving friends trooped in a procession, wearing light colours that matched the pink ribbons tied to lampposts along the route
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
Mourners gather for a celebration of Elsie Dot Stancombe at St John’s Church
Mourners line the streets of Southport this morning as they wait for a celebration of Elsie Dot Stancombe
‘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.
Members of the public line the streets for the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe at St John’s Church in Birkdale
Elsie’s family will walk behind her cortege from her home to the church, where a pink carpet has been laid for the occasion. Pictured: St John’s Church in Birkdale
She was killed alongside six-year-old Bebe King (left) and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar (right)
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.
Royal Mail staff will also pay tribute when the cortege passes as Mr Stancombe is a postal worker. Pictured: St John’s Church in Birkdale
The King travelled from Scotland to Southport earlier this week to meet with affected children and their families. He is pictured visiting the floral tributes to the victims on Tuesday
King Charles appeared moved by the huge number of floral tributes left in Southport
‘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.