Alice was described as the "most kind-hearted child with thick brown hair that danced as she walked" As hundreds filled St Patrick's Catholic Church to remember Alice Da Silva Aguiar, it's the words of Alice's parents that will remain in the memories of those who attended. In their heartbreaking and moving tribute to their nine-year-old daughter who was tragically killed in the Southport attack last week, they told their "beautiful angel" "we will always, always love you.” Alice was one of three children killed in the stabbing at The Hart Space in Southport during a Taylor Swift dance class on Monday, July 29.
The family announced online that they would be holding a private funeral service at St Patrick's Catholic Church, with hundreds appearing to pay their respects to the schoolgirl. Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and the advisor to the Secretary of State for Portugal all attended, as well as members of the emergency services who were at the scene of the attack. As silence gripped the mourners outside, the headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, Mrs Payne, spoke candidly and emotionally.
She said: "Alice wore a natural smile everyday, it wasn't forced or put on." She continued to say how she "took her manners everywhere" and showed a "genuine interest" in everything she did. Fighting back tears, she finished her moving tribute to the nine-year-old: "Let your beaming smile guide you and you will forever be in our Churchtown hearts.
” Following the tribute from Mrs Payne, she read out another tribute from Alice's dance teacher, Heidi Liddle, who described her as the "most kind-hearted child with thick brown hair that danced as she walked.” She continued: “She had a smile that lit up every room that she walked into.” After a tribute from Alice's dance teacher, a statement from her parents, Sergio and Alexandra, was read to the hundreds in the church where they thanked the communities of Southport, the UK and Portugal as they will continue to work with Churchtown Primary School to ensure children and parents receive any support they may need.
Mrs Payne also revealed that the school will have constant reminders of Alice's attendance at the primary school going forward. In an address to their daughter given on their behalf, Alice’s parents said: “Dear Alice, you were our perfect dream child, everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived. A good girl, with strong values and kind nature.
"A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.
“Being around you was a privilege, we cherished every milestone. You completed us. In nine short years we never needed time off from you.
We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too. “And if we did, we’d always do it separately so you could have one of us always next to you.” They went on: “We feel shocked, unimaginable pain, we miss you.
“From time to time, the pin drops. When mommy says ‘good night, Sergio, good night Alice’ and then it hits us all over again. We don’t hear you back.
Moving forward will be hard. Some days are better than others, but none will be perfect. “Some moments we are weak and we say wild things.
But we made a promise to always be there for each other in moments of despair, a pinky promise. We share a strong bond and we’ll always have each other to rely on. "We won’t be alone.
We are surrounded by a wonderful community and their full support, family and friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the wonderful servicemen and women who serve the community, your school, your church and all your friends and their parents. “We have the full support of the country and the privilege of multiplying that by two. For that, we’re thankful.
For now, our beloved Angel, keep dancing, mummy and daddy will always, always love you.” As Father John Heneghan, the parish priest of St Marie and St Patrick Catholic Churches, concluded the ceremony with a rendition of "Shine, Jesus, Shine", people applauded the emotional service. Silence filled Marshside Road as the cortege left the churchyard for the crematorium.
The sombre crowds followed in their dozens as the cortege and black hearses wearing pink ribbons made their way down the street. It is a day that will be remembered by the people of Marshside, and Southport, for years to come..
