Supporting Each Other Through Grief
The families first met after the tragedy and have found support and comfort in each other’s company. Mrs. King, mother of Bebe, says, “We can talk about our girls, the similarities.” She notes how their shared love for dance unites them: “I feel more close to Alice when I’m with them.
I feel more connected to the girls.”
Mr. Stancombe adds, “I’ll never forget Alex coming to say to me that Alice is a real mother figure and she’ll be mothering , wherever they are. She was like, ‘I promise you she’ll be looking after them.'”
Home Videos Reveal Personal Insights
The documentary includes home videos of the girls talking and laughing. In one clip, Elsie says: “You don’t need to buy a smile; you just bring up your face.” Her father, David Stancombe, shares how focused Elsie was when she was determined to master something: “When she was focused on something, she was determined to master it.”
Alexandra Aguiar describes Alice as someone who danced wherever she went. Another clip shows Bebe messing around at home in an oversized hat while wearing a backpack. Her parents say she lit up every room she entered and was totally selfless: “She was born to be a star,” adds her father, Ben King.
Shared Pain and Legacy Projects
The families have also shared their pain during initial meetings, finding solace in each other’s company. Mrs. Stancombe says, “When I first met them, I felt their pain for them.
It hurts us what they’re going through.” Mr. Aguiar adds: “We are all different but we are very special to each other.”
The legacy projects established for the girls include Alice’s WonderDance and Elsie’s Story. These initiatives aim to support young performers with uniforms, classes, and transport, as well as make grants to assist young people in the Southport area.
Mr. King concludes: “I think when we get together, something just takes over – like we’re protected.” His wife agrees: “We’ve got each other through, we’ve gained family.”
The documentary Our Girls: The Southport Families is set to air on BBC One on Tuesday 9 December at 20:00 in the UK and will be available on BBC iPlayer.
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