Hundreds gather in Southport to pay respects at funeral of Alice da Silva Aguiar
Hundreds of people lined the streets to remember the life of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, ITV News Correspondent Olivia Guthrie reports
Hundreds gathered for the funeral of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, one of the three girls killed in the mass stabbing at a dance class in Southport.
Alice, nine, died from her injuries on Tuesday 30 July, the day after the attack, which also left Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, dead.
The nine-year-old’s parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town.
Among those who also paid their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with uniformed officers from the police and the ambulance and fire services.
Members of the public lined Marshside Road as the funeral cortege arrived, along with about 30 uniformed police officers.
Applause broke out as the carriage, drawn by two white horses sporting orange and white plumes and containing the youngster’s white coffin, approached the church entrance.
Several hundred people packed into the church while more listened outside as the service was relayed on loudspeakers.
In an address to their daughter given on their behalf, Alice’s parents said: “Dear Alice, you were our perfect dream child, everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived.
“A good girl, with strong values and kind nature. A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.
“Being around you was a privilege, we cherished every milestone. You completed us.
“In nine short years we never needed time off from you. We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too."
On the day of the funeral, her family released a picture taken just before the attack eagerly waiting to get into the Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Alice is shown smiling with a life-size cardboard cut-out of the singer in the doorway of the Hart Space studio, in Hart Street, Southport.
The youngster – who is pictured wearing leggings, trainers and a T-shirt with the slogan Vacay Vibes – was just starting her school summer holidays.
Father John Heneghan, the parish priest of St Marie and St Patrick Catholic Churches in Southport has described Alice as "one of our most precious children".
He also shared that she had received her First Holy Communion in May at St Patrick's just three months ago.
Father Heneghan said Alice had a radiant "rainbow smile" and that her funeral would be a celebration of her life.
He said: "It is going to be profoundly sad, but it's not only going to be that, because we will be looking into what her parents believe.
"Alexandra and Sergio, her mum and dad, believe in the resurrection. They don't believe this is the end.
"So the way they express that is 'let her dance to heaven', because she loved dancing, and that is a beautiful image."
Speaking before the funeral Father John Heneghan said Alice's parents wanted her to "let her dance to heaven"
Father Heneghan also said Elsie Dot Stancombe,7, and Bebe King, 6, the two other girls who died in the stabbings will be remembered at the service.
He said: "Our hearts reach out to her family and the families of the two other girls who died and those who are injured.
"We hold in our hearts all who are affected by the terrible stabbings in our town."
Eight other children were injured in the attack, and all have now been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home.
Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.