Bright colours and balloons for ‘always joyful’ Southport victim Elsie Dot Stancombe’s funeral

Dressed in her daughter’s favourite colour pink, Elsie Dot Stancombe’s mother endured what no parent should be asked to bear.

Walking behind the seven-year-old’s coffin, Jenni and her husband, David, accompanied their beloved daughter on a day of unimaginable agony.

The streets, lined with mourners, had been decorated with pink ribbons as part of a “special day” to celebrate the life of the young girl, killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and six-year-old Bebe King, in the Southport knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event on July 29.

Elsie’s family had asked those attending not to wear black, so the crowds were a vivid mix of bright pastels and primary colours.

In the crowd was the blue of Elsie’s cheerleading group, Vortex Cheer, who formed a guard of honour as the coffin, topped with a blue cuddly toy, was carried into the church to the yellows and pinks of the mourners.

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The cortege was followed by nine Royal Mail vans, for Elsie’s father David, a postman, each with pink ribbons tied to their wing mirrors.

When it reached St John’s Church, in Birkdale, Elsie’s tiny coffin was borne along a pink carpet and through a balloon arch, with bubbles filling the air.

The church was decorated with pastel-colour flowers and pink ribbons and a screen displayed an illustration of a dancer, welcoming those attending to “Elsie’s Special Day”.

Bobby, the family dog, waited patiently outside for the procession to arrive.

Among the mourners were members of the emergency services and Ibrahim Hussein, imam of Southport mosque, which was damaged in the ugly rioting that followed Elsie’s death.

His presence was a stern rebuke by her parents to those who would scapegoat others for the tragedy on the basis of their skin colour and background.

Elsie had been brought up to believe that what mattered was trying your best and having fun. Even on such a poignantly sad day that generous sentiment made itself felt.

As the mourners made their way inside St John’s, singer Wendy Chalke performed Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird, with its lyrics declaring: “For you, there’ll be no more crying/ For you, the sun will be shining/ Because I feel that when I’m with you/ It’s alright, I know it’s right.”

Inside, the Lighthouse Choir performed From Now On, from The Greatest Showman, and Wind Beneath My Wings. The songs were relayed on speakers to the crowd outside.

The Rev Jennie Hardy described Elsie as an “extraordinary girl ... who loved a big party”, adding: “Her last birthday was an Elsie-fest and today we are continuing that theme.”

Emily Ridgway read a moving tribute written by Elsie’s parents, called simply Elsie Dot by Mum and Dad.

She said: “From the moment her parents knew of her existence, she has brought them nothing but happiness, and the life she has lived has been a true reflection of the love they have all shared together.”

Elsie was born five weeks early, because she was “far too excited” to meet her parents, and fitted into their lives “perfectly”.

At school, she never became angry if something did not go her way, Ms Ridgway said, adding: “Her heart was too kind. It was too kind for anger and for upset.”

She said Elsie’s proudest moment was becoming a big sister to Rosie, now three.

“Elsie was a gift given to you and her sister and she made your lives immeasurably joyful,” she continued. “Her story does not end here today. Her story will be told every single day by those who loved her.”

As the service reached its end, Taylor Swift’s Love Story was played while the coffin and close family members left the church. Outside hundreds more people gathered in Southport town centre to pay their respects.

In a statement, accompanying a new photograph released by Elsie’s family showing her with Rosie and her parents, said: “Our family affirmation is ‘as long as you try your best, enjoy yourself and have fun, nothing else matters’.

“We are the four best friends in the whole wide world – and that mantra will remain with us for the rest of our lives, sound in the knowledge that Elsie is here with us and forever will be in our hearts.

“Elsie has brought light, love and joy to so many lives and it has been clear to us in the overwhelming response from everybody that knew her and everybody within the community.”

The service was the last of the funerals for the victims.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with the murders of Elsie, Alice and Bebe, as well as the attempted murder of instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.