Fund set up to help families of Southport stabbing more than doubles since sentencing
A FUND set up to help the families of the Southport stabbing has more than doubled since Axel Rudakubana’s sentencing.
The monster, 18, was caged for a minimum of 52 years as parents and relatives sobbed from the packed public gallery.
Liverpool crown court was told of the harrowing details about the injuries suffered by the three little girls stabbed to death, as well as another eight children who were knifed.
Parents gave powerful impact statements about how their lives have been shattered after their kids were targeted at a Taylor Swift dance class last summer.
A GoFundMe page has now reached nearly £180,000 – more than doubling from £69,000 overnight.
The tight-knit community has rallied out after it emerged at court that some of the families are struggling financially.
Parents, whose lives have been shattered, have been forced to take months off work due to the trauma.
Marc Foreman, of Southport Hesketh Round Table, the volunteer group which set up the fundraiser, said: “Yesterday was really difficult for me in so many ways.
“It was like I was reliving the day again and I know that it was worse too for the families directly affected.
“But, I guess it was just a milestone that needed to happen for closure of one chapter of the horrible events that happened in July.
“It’s now time for us to try and heal as best we can.
“The gravity of this atrocity is indescribable as we are still coming to terms with it.
“Our community has been deeply shaken, and as a charity based in this tight-knit community, we all know someone affected by this.”
Over 4,000 people have so far donated, raising £174,868 – smashing the £100,000 target.
Following the attack on July 29 last year, nearly £400,000 was raised by Taylor Swift fans for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where most of the injured children were treated.