A touching tribute was paid to Elsie Dot Stancombe, who died in the Southport attack, at her funeral today.
In a reading given on behalf of her parents, Elsie’s teacher, Katie Sykes, said that the seven-year-old brought “light, love and joy to so many lives”.
“From the moment her parents knew of her existence, she has brought them nothing but happiness”, she said.
“The life she has lived has been a true reflection of the love they have all shared together.
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“Jenny and David were absolutely delighted to discover they were going to become parents for the first time.
“Anyone who knows Jenny well, would know there was a meticulously planned order of things - except Elsie liked to do things the way she wanted to and on her own watch.
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Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, (left to right)PA“Jenny had just finished work that day - she was looking forward to a few weeks rest, lunches out with her friends, last minute baby shopping and all the things we think we’ll be doing in the first few weeks of maternity leave.
“Elsie was far too excited to meet her mummy and daddy and made it known that her time was now.
“From the moment she was first placed in your arms, from the moment you saw her special name written on the board above the hospital bed, she filled you both with a pride that words simply can’t describe.
“That first night at home when you both sat there wondering, ‘what on earth do we do now? How are we responsible for this perfect little girl?’
The funeral of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe took place today
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“All parents go through the same thought process, but Elsie did not pick up on that fear or worry. She fitted into your lives perfectly and taught you how to be the best mummy and daddy.”
Mourners attending the funeral were asked to wear pastel or bright colours in a celebration of the young girl’s life.
Elsie was killed as she and other children took part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class during the school holidays on 29 July.
Today’s funeral follows those held for six-year-old Bebe King last week and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguilar earlier in August.
King Charles visited Southport earlier this week and met some of the children who survived the attack.
He thanked emergency services who responded to the attack.