Celebrities including Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Alan Shearer have sent good luck messages to marathon runners from Churchtown Primary School in Southport, who are running in memory of the victims of the Southport attacks.
The five Churchtown Playground runners are participating in the London Marathon on Sunday 26th April 2025.
Runners include Sergio Aguiar, whose daughter Alice was one of the victims in the Southport attack.
They will run alongside Churchtown Primary School’s headteacher, Jinnie Payne, to raise awareness and honour Alice’s memory. Alice attended Churchtown Primary School.
You can donate via their GoFundMe page here: Fundraiser by Churchtown Primary School : Churchtown Playground
Gabby Logan, presenter of Match of the Day, sent a video message saying:
“Wishing the very best of luck to Sergio Aguiar, who’s running the London Marathon in memory of his beautiful daughter Alice… good luck to everyone who is running for the Churchtown playground – let’s make this happen!”
Gary Lineker, who lived in Southport when he played for Everton in the 1980s, sent a video message, saying:
“Hi Sergio, everyone at Match of the Day just wanted to wish yourself, Jinnie and all those running for the Churchtown playground every success in the London Marathon.
“We have no words for your courage and determination to create a lasting legacy…. I’m sure Alice would be incredibly proud of her Dad.
“I’d like to say we’d be with you every step of the way, but we’re not as quick as we used to be!”
Alan Shearer also commented, saying:
“Good luck Sergio, we’re all thinking of you!”
Churchtown Primary, a vibrant and beloved community school in Southport, is raising funds for a new playground to honour the memory of two children, Alice and Bebe, who tragically lost their lives in the Southport stabbings in July 2024.
This new playground, which has been proposed by Alice’s parents as a way of honouring her memory, will serve as a joyful, healing space for all our pupils. It will be a place where they can do what children do best – play, explore and grow, and is designed to offer a variety of opportunities for over 700 children so they can each thrive in their own unique way.
This new playground will be a special space to remember Alice and Bebe, reflecting their characters and the joy they brought to Churchtown Primary.
Any additional funds raised will be distributed to local charities who are helping those affected by this tragedy.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
