Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar’s dad to run London marathon to raise funds for a new school playground in her memory
The parents of one of the girls murdered in the Southport knife attack have spoken of their heartbreak, saying their daughter was “born to be a star”.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, was brutally knifed to death along with Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Now seven months on, her parents Sergio and Alex have revealed they are fundraising for a new school playground that will include a stage in Alice’s memory. Sergio is planning to run the London marathon to help with the fundraising for the project at Churchtown Primary.
Returning to the school for the first time since the attack on July 29 last year the couple told how their daughter began dancing when she was just 16-months-old and was always wanting to perform.
Mum Alex said: “She started dancing when she was 16 months old. She joined baby ballet, then she was in the academy.
“I think she was born to be a star. The stage would be her favourite part. For us it’s really important to make this happen. She would be happy, I’m sure she’s proud of us doing this.”
The school aims to raise £250,000 to transform the present concrete space with climbing frames, an indoor/outdoor library and a performance area.
Sergio will be joined in the marathon in April by the school’s headteacher Jinnie Payne, along with other teaching staff.
He said: “I’m running not just for Alice but also everyone who was affected by last year’s tragedy.
“Alice was always so keen on school and learning, and she was very proud of her 100% attendance. This playground is exactly the sort of place which Alice would have loved.
“Her boundless energy, enthusiasm and creativity will be celebrated in the new playground by other pupils every day. That’s a beautiful and befitting legacy to the community she loved so dearly.”
The revamped play area will be named in honour of Alice and Bebe, who both attended the school.
Headteacher Ms Payne said: “I think it is really important. For the children it’s joy, it’s fun, it’s positivity. Where you do something together, that feeling of community. That will bring the positivity we need.
“When my colleagues and I are running in April we’ll be holding Alice and Bebe in our hearts, and they’ll be powering us on towards the finish line.”
Alice, Bebe and Elsie were murdered by Axel Rudakubana. He was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison last month after admitting the murders.
Details of the fundraising campaign can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/churchtown-primary-school .
