Two fathers, who tragically lost their daughters in the Southport attack, have found solace and strengthened their bond through running, likening their relationship to that of brothers as they gear up to participate in the London Marathon together.
Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, along with Bebe King, six, lost their lives in July 2024 during an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, the grieving fathers, ran the London Marathon separately last year to honor their daughters’ memories. This year, they have decided to run alongside each other as friends.
Expressing their deepening friendship, David mentioned, “Last year we ran it as two dads, and this time around we’re running it as two friends. We wanted to run it together because of how close we’ve got.”
Sergio dedicated his 2025 London Marathon run to raise funds for a new playground at Alice’s school, while David ran for Elsie’s Story charity. Both fathers highlighted how running has become a form of therapy for them, allowing them to pay tribute to their beloved daughters.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sergio shared, “You have these kind of days you don’t want to wake up and as soon as I go out running afterwards I feel much better so running for me has helped me a lot.” David emphasized, “I’m not running to get faster. I’m just running to get better.”
The emotional journey of running 26.2 miles together holds immense significance for Sergio and David, with Sergio expressing how David is “like a brother” to him. Reciprocating the sentiment, David remarked, “I feel the same. I say the exact same.”
The pair expressed their commitment to supporting each other and enjoying the race while honoring their daughters. Sergio underlined the strong connection he feels with David and expressed his desire to maintain their friendship for a lifetime.
Inspired by Sergio and David’s running journey, Alice and Elsie’s schools will participate in a mini marathon in London. David highlighted the positive impact of running on children and the community, emphasizing its value in fostering family bonds.
As they gear up for the marathon, both fathers draw strength from each other and their families. Sergio, deeply missing his daughter Alice, carries her memory through every marathon he runs. David finds solace in running for Elsie, with Sergio’s presence offering significant comfort and support throughout their shared marathon experience.