The family of six-year-old Bebe King has said her "light, care and spark" live on as the first anniversary of the Southport attack approaches. Bebe was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, when Axel Rudakubana launched his knife attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 last year.
On Monday, a heartfelt post appeared on the Instagram account of Bebe's Hive, the charity set up by her family to support grieving children through creativity and connection. The post referenced the youngster's "favourite musical" Wicked with the quote: "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
Family's emotional tribute message
The post, which appeared to have been written by Bebe's mother Lauren, referred to her daughter as "my mini me" and "her dad's soulmate". It said: "It's time for us to take the space we need. To feel, to breathe, to hold each other close. To just be."
Lauren King wrote that creating something "so purposeful, so needed" had given the family "a strength we didn't know we had". She added: "I feel her with me every day and that feeling is what keeps us going. Her light, her care, her spark - it lives on, and we'll continue it for as long as we can."
Gratitude to community support
The family expressed profound gratitude to those who had supported them through their grief. "To our incredible family and friends - thank you for keeping us afloat, while trying to keep yourselves above water," the post read.
The message also thanked the wider community, saying: "I don't think you realise what you've done. Your kindness has saved us." The family acknowledged the other victims' families, writing: "To Elsie and Alice, we never had the chance to meet you, but we feel like we know you."
Memorial plans and donations
In a reference to the Taylor Swift song Bejeweled, the post continued: "Our girls' energy will continue to shimmer." The family also sent love to "every brave child, every adult, every family whose lives were changed forever that day".
A video of Bebe dancing and playing with a bubble machine accompanied the caption, along with photos of the youngster. Sefton Council has asked people not to lay flowers to mark the anniversary but instead to consider donating to causes including Bebe's Hive, Elsie's Story and Alice's Wonderdance.
Town to observe silence
A three-minute silence will be held in Southport at 3pm on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the attack. The memorial charities were all set up in memory of the three young victims who lost their lives in the tragedy.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
