A playground built as a lasting memorial to two young victims of the Southport attack will be unveiled to their classmates as they return to school on Wednesday. The new facility at Churchtown Primary School honours Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, who were both students at the Merseyside school.
The girls were killed alongside seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe in the attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July last year. Alice's parents proposed the new playground for her school, with her father Sergio Aguiar running the London Marathon to raise funds alongside school staff.
The fundraising campaign exceeded all expectations, raising more than £370,000 against an initial target of £250,000. The excess funds will be distributed to charities supporting the cause.
Memorial features unveiled
The playground includes a library, performance space, play equipment, hideout spaces and specially commissioned artworks. Headteacher Jinnie Payne said: "I'm delighted that after months of hard work and determination we have made the Churchtown playground a reality."
She added: "Our children are going to love what has been achieved with the playground, which will serve as a lasting legacy for Alice and Bebe for generations to come." The school expects children to show "shock and surprise" when they discover the new facilities.
Jack Snowdon, director of estates and operations for the Endeavour Learning Trust, described the space as "an active memorial" and "a beautiful space of remembrance". An inscription on a shelter reads "In memory of Alice and Bebe, forever in our hearts" with another plaque stating "Rooted in kindness, growing through hope".
Artistic tributes and special touches
Heart-shaped plaques bearing Alice and Bebe's names appear on a wall, surrounded by the names of their classmates. The playground features a new football pitch, climbing frames and a fully equipped stage with sound and lighting for children who shared the girls' love of performance.
A cycle track has been installed in the early years playground, where Bebe learned to ride a bike. Local artist Tony Wynne created murals with themes of hope, including one showing three ballet dancers accompanied by words from a poem by pupil Della Potter.
The artist painted bees, butterflies and flowers behind a wooden den installed in Bebe's memory. Another artwork, inspired by Alice's classmates, depicts a stormy scene with a lone wolf that transforms into a serene sea with a blossom tree and the words "peace", "love" and "hope".
Wynne, whose grandchildren attend the school, incorporated handprints from every child in Alice's class into a central flower design. He said: "This particular mural is the children's vision and concept. We've got darkness on the left, it refers to sorrow, but then we see in the centre the flower of friendship and support and togetherness."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
