Southport Dads: ‘Running for Our Girls Has Made Us Like Brothers’

Two fathers, Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, are set to run the London Marathon side by side this year—a shared journey that has transformed their relationship into a bond of friendship. Their daughters, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were tragically killed in the Southport attack of July 2024, which also claimed the life of Bebe King, six, during a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. The loss has deeply united them, and now they are honoring their children through the race.

A Shared Tribute

Last year, each father completed the London Marathon individually, dedicating their runs to their daughters. Sergio Aguiar raised funds for a new playground at Alice’s school through his participation, while David Stancombe ran in memory of Elsie, supporting the charity Elsie’s Story. This year, however, they are running together, symbolizing the deep connection they’ve forged since the tragedy.

“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,” David Stancombe shared.

Running has become more than a physical activity for both men—it serves as a therapeutic outlet and a way to commemorate their daughters. Sergio Aguiar told BBC Breakfast: “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.”

“I’m not running to get… faster. I’m just running to get better,” David said.

The pair has also committed to completing six major marathons in 12 months for Alice’s WonderDance, the foundation Sergio established in his daughter’s name. Having already run in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, and Boston, he aims to finish the sixth event before the year ends. David expressed admiration for Sergio’s dedication: “I think what he’s done is incredible. I certainly couldn’t do it, going from one marathon to another.”

David joked that if Sergio outpaces him, he would “hold him,” while Sergio teased that David would “speed up” if he slowed down. Their camaraderie has become a source of mutual strength, with both acknowledging the emotional support they provide one another.

Additionally, the schools of Alice and Elsie will host a mini marathon in Southport on Saturday, inspired by the fathers’ efforts. David reflected on the community impact: “I think we’ve seen the impact that running has had on the kids and the community. It’s such a good way for a family to spend time together.”

Both fathers emphasized that their bond remains unbreakable. Sergio said: “She’s with me all the time,” while David added: “I think when I finish the marathon, obviously I’ll be carrying Elsie every step of the way. There’ll be that sense of achievement we’ll have done it again for Alice and Elsie.”

As they prepare for the race, they are joined by Bebe’s family, who will cheer them on. Their journey is not just about distance, but about keeping their daughters’ memories alive, one step at a time.