'I just try to bring a bit of hope and comfort'

Revd Martin Abrams said supporting people after the Southport attack was "the hardest challenge of my life"

The hospital chaplain who led a vigil for victims of the Southport knife attack says he tries to bring "a little a bit of hope and comfort" even to the "most horrendous situations of life".

Reverend Martin Abrams said supporting those affected by the 29 July 2024 stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in which three young girls were killed, had been "the hardest challenge of my life".

After being appointed an MBE at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, he said he and the Princess Royal had discussed "trying to find the words when there are no words".

He said receiving the honour was "incredibly humbling", adding: "I think I just do my job. For that to be recognised is very special."

Revd Martin Abrams led a vigil for the victims of the Southport knife attacks

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were murdered in the attack.

Eight children and two adults were also injured.

Mr Abrams subsequently led a vigil for the Southport community and members of the emergency services.

Speaking about meeting the Princess Royal, Mr Abrams said: "We discussed Southport - the vigil I led after the events of July 29 last year.

"She was asking about the town, the families, how it felt to lead the vigil.

"We talked about trying to find words when there are no words."

'Incredibly rewarding'

Asked how it felt to support those affected by the attack, he said: "The hardest challenge of my life.

"I grew up in Southport, I work in Southport. For such a horrendous thing to happen within our own community is just awful.

"In Southport, we're defined by (being) the town that has no sea, that's what people think of when they think of Southport.

"To be defined by something that is so horrific is a tragedy."

Mr Abrams, who was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List for services to the community in Merseyside and West Lancashire, added that being a hospital chaplain can also be "incredibly rewarding".

He said: "Sometimes people will ask how I do what I do and I always answer, 'If you can just bring, even to the most horrendous situations of life... a little a bit of hope and comfort, that can be incredibly rewarding, even in the midst of horrendously sad situations'."