A procession with white horses, balloons, flowers and a crowd. It was a farewell to Alice Aguiar, one of the victims of the knife attack in Southport, UK. About 300 people attended the funeral of the Portuguese girl at St Patrick’s Church. The ceremony was broadcast live so that members of the Portuguese family could say goodbye to their child. “In the meantime, our dear angel, keep dancing. Mummy and daddy will love you always, always,” the parents wrote in a congratulatory speech quoted BBC.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar was attending a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class when she was attacked. She was taken to hospital but died from her injuries. Two other children, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancomb, aged six and seven, were killed in the same attack.
The church was packed and loudspeakers were set up so the crowd outside could follow the ceremony.
Alice’s parents, who were born on the island of Madeira, described their daughter as a “playful, energetic, friendly and respectful” girl who was “born and raised in great love”. They believe they will “never get over the pain” and thanked the community for their support, which has been “wonderful” at this stage.
“We wonder if [a Alice] Did he ever think about us, did he call us, I wonder if he felt any pain. We hope not,” they said.
During the tribute, Alice’s uncle, Richard Lyra, read a memorial speech written by the child’s parents. “We talked about the high school you could have attended, about growing up, about a big house with a garden, and about children. Children we’ll never help you raise. It hurts, we’ll never see you grow up,” a family member read.
The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário, was represented by his deputy, Sara Madruga da Costa. “If it is true that the pain you feel is unique, personal, internal and perhaps at this stage inconsolable, I wanted you to know that you have a country, a whole people, with you,” he said.
Alice Aguiar’s body will be cremated in a private ceremony.