The father of one of the girls killed in the Southport stabbings was overcome with emotion as he completed the London Marathon in her memory.
Sergio Aguiar, father of nine-year-old Alice who was killed in the Southport attack last July, ran the 26.2-mile course through the capital today alongside Jinnie Payne, the headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, where Alice was a pupil.
Before the race, he told BBC Breakfast: "When I'm training, I feel she is always with me.
"Sometimes I talk to her, tell her, you know, keep going mate, we're going to do this together, you will be with me, always."
Sergio Aguiar ran the race in honour of his daughter Alice
PA/GB News
David Stancombe also ran the marathon in memory of his seven-year-old daughter Elsie, who died in the same attack.
He said: "Elsie would be so happy to see me cross the finishing line, especially for the London Marathon. She would just be so proud."
Stancombe revealed he and Elsie had watched the London Marathon on TV last year, when she suggested he run the race in honour of her grandmother.
"A little bit of me was like, 'oh yeah, alright Els,'" he said. "I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Left to right: Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe KingPAAguiar is raising funds for an adventure playground at Churchtown Primary School, which was attended by both Alice and Bebe King. Stancombe is fundraising for Elsie's Story, a charitable trust that makes grants to assist young people and support others in the Southport area.
The pair have received overwhelming support for their fundraising efforts.
Stancombe told the BBC: "Even now it still blows me away that so many people know about it," Stancombe told BBC Breakfast. I would love people to know I've seen their message, but I have genuinely read so many of them. It's amazing."
One of those who threw their support behind the dads was Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who sent a message of support to the fathers ahead of the race.
Thousands had gathered at the vigil in SouthportPAStarmer said: "I want to wish you the very best of luck in the London Marathon this weekend," Starmer said. "The entire nation is in awe of your courage and your resilience."
Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, revealed the Prince and Princess of Wales had donated to Elsie's Story and sent the family a "special message".
The royal couple also made a donation to the Churchtown Playground fund. Bebe's parents, Lauren and Ben King, attended the marathon to support the runners.
"It is just incredible what they are doing," Mrs King said. "And we want to be a part of it every step of the way."
Runners cross Tower Bridge in the 2025 London Marathon
PA
Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29 last year.
The three girls, aged nine, seven and six respectively, were killed by Axel Rudakubana.
King said: "They were such wonderful, caring little children. And I reckon they are just up there watching over us and looking out for us."
Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January for the murders of the three girls and attempted murders of eight other children, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
