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Southport Playground Appeal Reaches £250,000 Target!

Written by Raigan Edmondson

A truly heartwarming milestone has been reached in Southport, as the £250,000 fundraising target for a commemorative playground at Churchtown Primary School has now been achieved. The playground will serve as a lasting tribute to Alice Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, ensuring their memory lives on through a space filled with joy, creativity, and friendship.

A Father’s Mission to Honour His Daughter

Alice’s father, Sergio Aguiar, launched the campaign with the goal of creating a new playground featuring a performance stage and library, dedicated to both Alice and Bebe, who were former pupils at the school. The vision behind the project was simple:
💬 “The school felt like a second home to Alice. She would be very proud of us for creating this playground. I can imagine how happy she would be to see it,” Sergio shared.

The community has rallied behind the campaign, showing incredible generosity and support to help bring this dream to life.

A Playground to Inspire Future Generations

The playground is set to be completed by September, providing a place where thousands of children can play, learn, and create lasting memories—just as Alice and Bebe once did. Alan Bowen, Alice’s favourite teacher, beautifully imagined how Alice would have enjoyed the space, saying he could picture her “singing, twirling her hair, and leading everybody else” on the new stage.

Going the Extra Mile – Running for Alice & Bebe

Sergio isn’t stopping here. Next month, he will be running the London Marathon alongside Churchtown Primary School’s headteacher, Jinnie Payne, to continue raising awareness and funds. Their determination reflects the resilience and love that has driven this campaign from the start.

A Community’s Incredible Support

Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without the kindness and generosity of those who donated, shared the appeal, and supported the campaign in any way. Southport has shown the power of community, proving that even in the face of tragedy, love and unity can create something truly meaningful.

A Lasting Legacy

This playground will not only honour Alice and Bebe’s memory but will also serve as a beacon of hope and joy for the generations of children who will play there in the future. It’s a reminder that even in difficult times, compassion and togetherness can build something truly special.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. 💛

#Southport #ChurchtownPrimary #PlaygroundForAliceAndBebe #CommunitySupport #LoveOverHate #StrongerTogether