Prime Minister sends support to dads of Southport victims running London Marathon

Keir Starmer sent a good luck message to the fathers of two little girls murdered in Southport at a Taylor Swift dance party ahead of today’s London Marathon.

Six-year-old Bebe King, Elsie Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were murdered by Axel Rudakubana at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 last year.

Thier fathers, David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar, are running today to raise money for organisations set up in honour of their daughters.

In a video message, Sir Keir said: ‘David and Sergio, I want to wish you the very best of luck in the London Marathon this weekend. I know how much it means to you and your families.

‘This is an incredible way to honour the memory of your precious daughters and the entire nation is in awe of your courage and your resilience.

‘We’ll all be with you every single step of the way. Good luck.’

Mr Aguiar was pictured lying in the ground after crossing the finish line.

Before the race, he told BBC Breakfast: ‘Twenty-six miles, I’ve never done anything like that before.

‘But for my girl, I would do 26 or 50 – whatever. The pain doesn’t matter, I’m going to do it.’

Elsie’s dad Mr Stancombe also finished the race, and gave the thumbs up as he posed with his medal.

Mr Aguiar told BBC Breakfast he often speaks to daughter Alice while running alone, telling her to ‘keep going with me’.

‘I tell her we’re going to do this together, you’re going to be with me – always,’ he said.

Mr Stancombe revealed his daughter, Elsie, had suggested he run the marathon in honour of her grandmother last year before her death.

‘A little bit of me was like, ‘Oh yeah, alright Els,’” I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons.’

In a follow-up interview after the message from the PM, he added: ‘Even now it still blows me away that so many people know about it and you’re getting messages from the prime minister.”

‘I would love people to know I’ve seen their message, but I have genuinely read so many of them. It’s amazing.’

Mr Stancombe is raising money for Elsie’s story, which helps young people financially in Southport.

Mr Aguiar is raising money to build a new playground, with a library and performance stage at Alice’s old school – Churchtown Primary School.

Bebe’s parents were also planning to show up in support of Mr Aguiar and Mr Stancombe.

Bebe also previously attended the school. Alice’s mum, Alexandra, said: ‘The fact her name will be overlooking the playground forever, that would make her feel special.’

Ben and Lauren King, parents of Bebe, said: ‘It’s really special that all [Bebe’s] friends from that school will have this lasting legacy of her.

‘She’d be over the moon that she could bring some happiness to her friends and the kids of Churchtown.’

Previously, Bebe’s parents described their daughter as a hilarious little girl who operated on a ‘high frequency’.

Mrs Stancombe, 35, remembered her daughter Elsie as a little girl who was ‘grateful for life’ and incredibly empathetic.

Mr and Mrs Aguiar described Alice as a ‘perfect dream child’, bursting with confidence and empathy.

The London Marathon course will set off from Blackheath and take runners past Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Canary Wharf, The Shard and Tower Bridge, finishing up at St James’s Park.

Tens of thousands of people have been preparing for the big race, and it looks like the huge crowds and the runners have the weather on their side as the Met Office forecasts sunshine and warmth.

Runners and supporters alike should lather on plenty of sun cream as temperatures are expected to reach up to 21°C during the height of the race.

Those wearing impressive costumes – a tradition at the marathon each year – might get extra sweaty, and like all runners, they should remember to drink plenty. This year’s costumes include a full firefighter’s uniform and a tent.

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