By Andrew Brown Stand Up Fore Southport
Photos by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
Thousands of families filled the Town Hall Gardens in Southport as they took part in the town’s biggest ever bubble blowing event and ‘blew kisses to heaven’ in memory of the three young girls killed in a tragedy this time last week.
The Swifties Bubble Blow – Kisses To Heaven gathering was organised by Kylie Clift as a way of supporting those who have lost loved ones and all those recovering from their injuries after an horrific attack at a dance and yoga class at the Hart Space in Southport on Monday (29th July 2024).
Members of the local community were invited to come together and release bubbles in memory of the three girls who were killed: Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. Several other girls and adults were horrifically injured.
It was an emotional gathering as people of all ages stood to take a moment to remember the girls and their smiles as crowds blew bubbles and ‘sent kisses to heaven’.
Many brought their own bubbles while local businesses also showed their generosity by sending lots of bubbles for children to use.
Local singer and mum Wendy Chalke sang for the crowds to add to the occasion.
Kylie Clift said: “It was absolutely amazing. I am utterly overwhelmed by the response.
“The support was indescribable! So many people turned up. The children were giggling and smiling, bubbles absolutely everywhere. It was absolutely beautiful.
“I organised this event as I felt a great importance in our children being able to grieve too.
“It allowed them to express so much emotion through fun yet sensitive activities, like bubble blowing.
“I was donated hundreds of bubbles from various local shops, arcades, charities and even from families of the victims themselves.
“This was a time for everyone present to take a moment and remember those we’ve lost and those who still continue to fight.
“We had the amazing Wendy Chalke singing a heartfelt song whilst we all came together as a community and blew as many bubbles as we could, blowing them ‘kisses’ to heaven.”
One local dad who was at the gathering said: “It was very emotional being there.
“There were lots of adults crying, and yet there were also children filled with joy, faces beaming. “It was a very uplifting happy event.”
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