Family remembers Alice da Silva Aguiar at funeral in Southport

The parents of one of the victims of the Southport knife attacks said at the funeral they wondered if she had “called out to us” in her final moments.

Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar died in hospital one day after a knifeman attacked children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.

Six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe also died in the attack, which left eight other girls and two adults injured.

Alice’s family shared the last photo they took of her before her death, showing her smiling and posing next to a life-size cardboard cutout of the pop star at Hart Street Studios.

About 300 people gathered near the church, some holding balloons, others blowing bubbles, before applause broke out as the funeral procession arrived.

Pink ribbons and balloons were attached to lamp posts and garden walls.

Alice’s parents Sergio and Alexandra were accompanied by family and friends to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Outside the packed church, many mourners listened to the broadcast of the service over loudspeakers.

One area of ​​the church was reserved for emergency responders working with the family, while a second area was made available to other families affected by the attacks, as well as classmates, friends and relatives.

As the BBC has learned, a large family followed the service via video link in Portugal.

Alice’s uncle, Richard Lira, fought back tears as he read a eulogy written by Mr. and Mrs. Aguiar.

They described their daughter as their “perfect dream child” who loved animals and “moved our world” with her “confidence and empathy.”

“Playful, energetic, friendly and always so respectful,” read Mr. Lira.

During the service, it was said that Alice was “born and raised in love” and enjoyed cuddling with her parents in the bedroom and watching television with popcorn.

Mr Lira described how Alice had transformed from a “princess into a prepubescent girl” and began to show interest in her skin care and makeup.

He said: “We talked about what secondary school to go to, about growing up, having a big house with a garden and having children.

“Children we will never help you raise. It hurts, we will never see you grow up.”

During the service it was reported that Alice’s mother had “seen things that no human being should see.”

“We wonder if you ever thought of us, called out to us. We wonder if you were in pain,” they said.

“We hope not, my dear.”

They said they would “never get over” this pain, but promised to get “all the answers” ​​to the question of what had happened.

Mr and Mrs Aguiar also expressed their gratitude for the support of the “wonderful community” around them.

Mr. Lira concluded by reading: “Now dance on, our beloved angel.

“Mommy and Daddy will always, always love you.”

Alice’s headteacher, Jinnie Payne from Churchtown Primary School, also spoke during the service.

She described Alice as a “curious girl” who “never forgot details”.

Ms Payne said one of her teachers named her baby after Alice – a message that apparently touched her mother deeply.

Among those who paid their last respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, and around 30 uniformed police officers and representatives from the emergency services and fire brigade.

In an earlier tribute, Alice’s parents said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love, our princess. As we have told you, you are always our princess and no one will change that.”

The Portuguese family attended a celebration of her life on Tuesday, which in Portugal traditionally takes place one week after the death of a person.

Father John Heneghan, who lead the funeral ceremonytold BBC Radio Merseyside earlier that he would remember Alice as a “wonderfully happy girl” who “brought joy to her mum and dad”.

He said the city’s residents were “seriously hurt” after the attack and would remain so for a long time, adding that many were “horrified” at how the stabbings had been used as a pretext to spark unrest across the UK.