FAMILY have gathered for the funeral of nine-year-old Southport victim Alice Da Silva Aguiar today.
Alice was one of three little girls tragically killed in the brutal attack at a Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop in Merseyside on July 29.
GettyPink roses have been laid on the white coffin[/caption]
GettyA white horse and carriage arrived carrying the coffin[/caption]
APThe funeral cortege, dressed in white, has arrived[/caption]
PAAlice Da Silva Aguiar died the day after the horror[/caption]
AFPFloral tributes have been laid outside the church[/caption]
PAAlice’s funeral is being held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Marshside Road in Sefton town today[/caption]
She passed away on Tuesday, July 30, a day after the atrocity, which also stole the lives of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six.
Alice’s funeral is being held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Marshside Road in Sefton town today at 2pm.
The service and cremation will be private, followed by a wake at Crossens Community Centre.
Hundreds of mourners dressed all in white have begun gathering to pay their respects.
Paramedics arrived with large flower arrangements and pink heart shaped balloons.
A huge display of floral tributes has been laid outside the church to honour Alice’s memory, and bubbles released into the air.
The coffin, covered by pink roses, arrived in a beautiful white horse-drawn carriage through the streets.
A heavy police presence remains outside the church.
Father John Heneghan, the parish priest of St Marie and St Patrick Catholic Churches in Southport said Alice had a “rainbow smile” and was “one of our most precious children”.
The youngster had only just received her First Holy Communion three months ago.
“It is going to be profoundly sad, but it’s not only going to be that, because we will be looking into what her parents believe,” said Father John before the service.
“Alexandra and Sergio, her mum and dad, believe in the resurrection. They don’t believe this is the end.
“So the way they express that is ‘let her dance to heaven’, because she loved dancing, and that is a beautiful image.”
He added: “Our hearts reach out to her family and the families of the two other girls who died and those who are injured.
“We hold in our hearts all who are affected by the terrible stabbings in our town.”
Tributes poured in for young Alice last month after her family confirmed she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Her heartbroken loved ones said she would “always be their princess”.
An emotional tribute read: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that.
“Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.”
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar were named as the victims of the knife rampage in Merseyside last month.
Eight other children also suffered stab wounds in the horror along with two adults.
GettyThe coffin was covered with light pink roses[/caption]
AFPFlowers and balloons left in tribute[/caption]
APMourners have gathered to pay their respects[/caption]
GettyWhite horses pulled the carriage through the streets[/caption]
APBalloons in the shape of a heart are seen as mourners gather for the service[/caption]
ReutersA police officer guards St Patrick’s Catholic Church as people stand outside[/caption]
GettyPeople are lining up to show their support[/caption]
PAParamedics outside the church showing their support[/caption]
PAChief Constable Serena Kennedy outside the church[/caption]
GettyAlice was one of three killed in the knife attack[/caption]
Axel Rudakubana, 17, was charged with three counts of murder on August 1 at Liverpool Crown Court.
He is also accused of ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article – a curved kitchen knife used in the attack.
Rudakubana, who lives in Banks, Lancashire, but is from Cardiff originally, was remanded into custody until October 25.
No plea was entered but a provisional trial date, lasting six weeks, was scheduled for January 20.
Hero dance teacher Leanne Lucas is understood to have been knifed in the arms, neck and back as she used her body to shield young girls from the knifeman.
Her colleague Heidi Liddle escaped uninjured after bravely locking some of the children inside a toilet.
Another adult, Jonathan Hayes, was stabbed in the leg as he tried to fend off the attacker after running into the class when he heard screams.
The attack has sparked riots across the country – despite the local community calling for calm.
FacebookAlice Aguiar, nine, was tragically killed in the Southport horror[/caption]
PAThe private service begins at 2pm[/caption]
PAMourners have dressed all in white[/caption]
PAThe service and cremation will be private followed by a wake at Crossens Community Centre[/caption]
PABebe King, 6, was among the youngsters stabbed to death[/caption]
ReutersElsie Dot Stancombe, 7, was also killed in the attack[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
