Theme park launches £1m fundraiser for stabbing victims

The fundraising event will take place at the amusement park on 1 September

The owner of an amusement park is aiming to raise £1m for charity in the wake of the recent fatal stabbings in Southport.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed when a knifeman entered a children's holiday club on 29 July. Ten others were injured.

Southport's Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis is working with the local branch of the Royal British Legion to host a music and entertainment day on 1 September.

The proceeds will go to hospitals in the region and the North West Air Ambulance.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King were killed in an attack in July

Mr Wallis said it was a chance for the community "to come together and show their support for our local hospitals".

"We’re incredibly grateful to have a world class hospital like Alder Hey so close by, and we want to do what we can to help," he said.

"We saw first hand the vital work that North West Air Ambulance do.

"Without them, the events of that tragic day could have been even worse, and they are so reliant on donations, so we wanted to make sure they're included in our fundraising activities.

"Nothing we can do will be able to take away the pain that losing Bebe, Alice, and Elsie has caused so many people, but we wanted to do something positive to help the community.

Details of the event are still being finalised and tickets are priced at £15 with children under 90cm free.

Tickets include access to Pleasureland, and unlimited access to the rides and attractions all day.

"So many children have been affected by what’s happened, and hopefully this event will give them an opportunity to come and just be kids for a day in a safe place where they can have fun with their families before they return to school in September," Mr Wallis added.