‘Keep going with me, we’ll do this together’ – Southport victims’ dads say girls will be with them as they run marathon
TWO dads whose daughters were killed in Southport last year have said their children will be with them when they run the London Marathon.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, were murdered in a brutal stabbing spree in the Merseyside town on July 29, 2024.
The girls were enjoying a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class when Axel Rudakubana‘s attack took place.
Elsie and Alice’s fathers will be taking part in the marathon on Sunday in memory of their daughters.
Sergio Aguiar, Alice’s father, will run alongside teachers from the school that his daughter and Bebe attended.
They are raising money to build a new playground at the Churchtown Primary School.
Mr Aguiar told BBC Breakfast he talks to Alice when he’s running alone.
He said: “I tell her to keep going with me, that we’re going to do this together, you’re going to be with me – always.”
Meanwhile David Stancombe said his daughter would be very proud of his efforts.
The pair had watched coverage of the London Marathon on TV together last year.
Little Elsie even suggested he should run the marathon in honour of her grandmother.
He said: “A little bit of me was like, ‘oh yeah, alright Els’. I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons.”
Bebe’s parents, Lauren and Ben King, will also both be at the marathon to support the pair.
Mrs King said: “It is just incredible what they are both doing. And we want to be a part of it every step of the way.”
Mr Aguiar will be running alongside Jinnie Payne, the headteacher of Churchtown Primary, as well as other members of staff.
He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community so far, not to mention the support across the country.
“Our serious training is ramping up now, and we’re determined to get this done.”
The new playground, which was proposed by Alice’s parents, will contain a dedicated performance space and an indoor/outdoor library.
There are also plans to revitalise the early years’ playground with a den-building area.
Ms Payne said the playground will be “a lasting monument” to Alice and Bebe’s “amazing personalities”.
Rudakubana, 18, who killed Alice, Bebe and Elsie, was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January.
To find out more about the fundraiser, visit here.