By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
People in Southport have thanked King Charles III after his royal visit to the town.
The King cut short his holiday to Balmoral to meet people following the recent tragedy in which three young girls died.
Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven; Bebe King, aged six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine were tragically killed as they attended a Taylor Swift themed dance and yoga class at the Hart Space in Southport on 29th July 2024. Several other girls and adults were badly injured and others left traumatised.
King Charles III spent time meeting children injured in the attack, and their families, in a private meeting inside Southport Town hall. He invited them to meet him in London.
He then met crowds in the Town Hall Gardens, walking around and speaking with well-wishers.
The monarch then went to Southport Fire and Ambulance Station where he met local heroes fro the emergency services, as well as community figures who have helped to bring Southport together after the tragedy and the riot which happened the following night, causing so much damage.
Silcock Leisure Group Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince and her daughter Scarlett, 13, were among people who spoke with the King outside the Town Hall.
She said: “The royal visit by King Charles was a wonderful event for Southport.
“He spent around an hour inside Southport Town Hall chatting in private with the families affected by this tragedy.
“As he walked down the steps to meet everyone outside, the sun came out, which was lovely.
“There were so many people there to see him.
“King Charles spent quite a lot of time saying hello and shaking people’s hands.
“He came along the line to me and I just wanted to thank him for coming to Southport to show his support.
“I told him that his visit means the world to the local community, and to the volunteers and the members of the emergency services who he thanked.
“He had a big smile. He just said ‘thank you for waiting outside the town hall for so long’, and then said what a fantastic job the NHS teams at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital had done.
“He has been keeping up to date with everything going on.
“He was just so lovely.
“The whole crowd was so positive – he was very happy to see everyone.
“King Charles had cut short his holiday to come to Southport and it was out of real kindness that he came here.
“It was just what Southport needed after everything that has happened in these past few weeks.
“It has been a terrible, terrible time for everyone, especially all the families and everyone else directly impacted by the tragedy.
“As a town, we will never forget what happened. It is going to take a long time to heal.
“But this visit by King Charles was something special and very much appreciated by everyone in Southport.”
Judith Royden, owner of Rosebank Referrals in Southport, said: “I managed to shake King Charles’ hand and say thank you for coming. He looked very emotional and said to the lady next to me ‘you have all been in my thoughts’.
“His visit was a nice pick me up for the town.”
Speaking in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group, Margaret Duce said: “Well done Southport, your love for everyone shines through. You’re all strong stalwart folks and should be proud of yourselves. Bless everyone who assisted and especially the families who have suffered loss and suffering children through no fault of their own. You deserve this acknowledgement!”
Simon Shrouder said: “He did the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Southport will remember that. Respect.”
Debra Moss said: “We have such a kind and compassionate man for a King. I am so glad his visit lifted sore and sorrowful hearts, if only for a short while.
“Prayers and love continue for everyone, we’re in this for the long haul and we will never forget.”
Peter Taylor said: “His visit would have meant so much to the community and hopefully some comfort to the three poor girls and their families and also the other girls and two teachers also injured. Well done Charles.”
Nicola Jay said: “This is amazing for the families of the children and the teachers who were all involved in this terrible incident.”
Dorothy Carkill said: “Such a caring gesture by the King to visit after such devastation in Southport. Thank you King Charles.”
Jane Garrett said: “It’s hugely appreciated. I’m not a royalist by any stretch but am so grateful for his recognition and presence.
“This town has been knocked to pieces these past few weeks. The constant police presence has been so reassuring and welcome too.”
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “This Majesty The King travelled to Southport to express his continued support for those affected by the 29th July attack and the riot which followed in the town, and to thank frontline emergency staff for their ongoing work serving local people.”
Since the tragedy, over £170,000 has since been raised through The Community Foundation for Merseyside to support families left devastated by the tragedy.
The Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Sefton Council and Sefton CVS, acted within 24 hours to activate an urgent fundraising appeal for all those affected by the knife attack in Southport.
People are able to donate to the Southport Strong Together appeal via the Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/southport-strong-together
Or you can text SOUTHPORT followed by your donation amount to 70085 to give that amount
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
