Trade-backed fundraising appeal for Bebe King's family hits £40,000
James ChappleA fundraising appeal for the family of six-year-old Bebe King, who was one of three young girls killed in a mass stabbing at a dance event in Southport on Monday (29 July), has hit £40,000.
The travel trade has rallied behind the appeal, which was launched by Roni Bladon, after it was established Bebe’s mother works for a well-known UK agency and tour operator brand.
Initially seeking £25,000, the appeal smashed its target on Wednesday (31 July) and by 9am on Thursday (1 August) had just passed £40,000 thanks to more than 1,700 individual donations.
A 17-year-old boy was charged with the murders of the girls – Bebe, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine – during the early hours of Thursday morning, as well as a further 10 counts of attempted murder.
Eight other children and two adults who were at the Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event were hurt in the attack on Monday, some critically.
Bebe’s family have issued a tribute via the police, which read: "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe."
In an update posted to the GoFundMe appeal on Wednesday, Bladon thanked supporters for their generosity. "Our dear friends are facing an impossible situation so please continue to support and share our fundraiser," read the message.
The appeal, signed too by Helen, Karen, Sarah, Kirsty and Claire, described Bebe as a "vibrant and joyful" six-year-old girl. "Her sudden departure has left a void that words cannot fill."
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