The Guide Liverpool Heroes: A Special Award for the Southport families 

The families who lost their little girls in the Southport attacks in July last year were united by a shared tragedy.

Yet out of their despair, they found the strength and courage to create charities and organisations to help other children.

Each offers something different and unique for youngsters in the region, and each of them honours the memory of those in whose name they were created: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar.

Their parents were given a Special Award at The Guide Liverpool’s Heroes 2025 to recognise the resilience they have shown since the horrendous events of last year, and their determination to make lives better for others.

In her speech on stage Former Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who presented the awards, said:

“I am sure that we have all been inspired by what these six amazing people have achieved.

This recognition is reserved for those whose courage, compassion, and unwavering love serve as an inspiration to us all.

On behalf of everyone present, I extend our deepest gratitude for epitomising everything that is brilliant in our communities – we are truly humbled by what you are doing.”

Bebe’s Hive CIC

‘Born from loss. Rooted in love. Guided by Bebe.’

The gentle, creative child grief support service offered by Bebe’s Hive aims to help children find comfort, express their feelings, and begin to heal, turning love and memory into something beautiful through art, play, and imagination.

Bebe’s Hive provides a ‘safe place where little hearts can heal after loss’. Creative play and craft sessions encourage imagination, confidence, and quiet healing; music and drama workshops led by experienced teachers use rhythm, movement, and storytelling to build teamwork and self-belief, and guide children to rediscover joy and connection through play, and parent and carer support ensures that while the focus is on children, families are never alone.

Elsie’s Story

Elsie’s parents established Elsie’s Story to continue her legacy and to spread smiles as big as hers, refusing to let what happened define their little girl or Southport. Responding with ‘love and positivity’ they founded the charity to make grants in Elsie’s name, support young people, and help children in the community.

Its work includes funding local projects, providing medical care and support to families and individuals, and contributing to causes that bring people together through joy-filled activities.

At the heart of Elsie’s Story is a deep commitment to bring happiness, support, and hope to children facing life’s toughest challenges and to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to create precious memories with their loved ones.

Alice’s WonderDance Foundation

Alice’s WonderDance Foundation aims to spread the ‘same energy and love that Alice brought to every space she danced in’, believing that dance is more than movement – it’s freedom, creativity, connection, and joy.

The foundation was established to remove barriers so that every child can access dance, explore their passion, and grow. Creating happiness, opportunity, and inclusion, it helps young dancers with transport and uniforms; school and university support; exam fees; dance classes and after-school programmes; equipment for individuals or organisations who meet its needs criteria, and safe environments for dance activities and performances.

Jay Hynd, founder and director of The Guide Liverpool who co-hosted the awards evening at the Titanic Hotel, said:

“We knew that no matter what, we had to honour those impacted by Southport. What has happened since July last year is pretty incredible.

“We see these three families who lost their daughters, who have been through the worst thing possible, and who have all have set up organisations and charities to help other kids in their name in that short space of time.

“And they are all amazing.”

He goes on: “I have got to know how tightly knit these families are, how supportive they are of each other and what they have done, and that all deserves praise.

“We all know what happened in Southport, and everyone was devastated and shocked by it.

“But it’s what’s happened afterwards that we really want to mark.

“Each of the families were given a trophy bearing their little girl’s name, and I’m hoping that they see in it that the city and city region understands what they are doing and gets behind them and these charities.

“Let’s all get behind the legacy and support other children in the names of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar.

“I hope these Special Awards are a tiny bit of light for each of them, to say ‘We’ve got your back’.”

The Guide Liverpool Heroes 2025 were brought to you by Liverpool Cruise Port and in partnership with San Carlo Restaurants, and sponsored by Liverpool Cruise Port, San Carlo Restaurants, Morecrofts Solicitors, Liverpool ONE, Open Media, Radisson RED Liverpool, BOXPARK Liverpool, Wild Thang, Greatest Hits Radio, Sedulo, Gaskells Waste Services, and Liverpool BID Company.

WATCH THE GUIDE LIVERPOOL HEROES BACK HERE.

Find out more about The Guide Liverpool Heroes here.

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