SOUTHPORT FC say they are proud to act as a vital hub of the community following the tragic events of Monday morning, which led to the deaths of three young girls.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, were killed and several others left injured following a horrific knife attack as they attended a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
Seventeen-year-old Axel Rudakubana has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder. He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday and will stand trial next year.
Southport’s Haig Avenue ground stands just a few hundred yards away from the Hart Centre, where the attacks took place, and has opened its doors to the grieving community with volunteers from Victim Care Merseyside in daily attendance to offer specialist support to anyone affected by the tragedy.
Understandably, Tuesday night’s home friendly with Morecambe was cancelled but yesterday’s visit of FC United of Manchester did go ahead with representatives and fans of both clubs raising money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, who are treating the injured youngsters.
A healthy crowd – which included blue light card holding members of the emergency services who were admitted for free – were invited to take part in a 50/50 raffle with a difference with every penny raised acting as a donation to Alder Hey.
Heart-warming
And the majority shareholders’ Big Help Group will match every penny raised to ensure maximum support is provided to continue Alder Hey’s lifesaving work.
Media officer Rob Urwin said: “It’s been a very difficult week for everyone in the town, but equally uplifting in many respects to see how Southport, as a whole, has pulled together.
“The floral tributes, the love and support that everyone in the town has received from all over the world has been incredible. It’s been so heart-warming to receive.
“As a football club, we have taken great pride in being able to provide a central place for the community. We are in close proximity to where the events took place and these events have shaken everyone to the core. Things like this just don’t happen in Southport.
“We’ve received some amazing messages and our phone has been red hot, taking calls from news agencies all over the world. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper even popped in to see us. The response has been so heart-warming.”
Heroism
The club have been very active on social media, offering help and support to the people of Southport, with one of their posts in particular receiving over 160,000 impressions.
A club statement read: “We have been incredibly grateful to provide even a small amount of support to our community following Monday’s horrific attack.
“Hate has no place in our society and the destruction amongst an already grieving community that took place last night will only deepen the wounds felt by those impacted.
“Volunteers banding together this morning to repair the damage left by rioters last night is the true representation of Southport.
“Finally, the club wishes to pay special tribute to the emergency responders whose selfless dedication and heroism this week has been an inspiration to us all.”
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