Taylor Swift fans have launched a fundraiser to raise funds for those who have tragically passed following a mass stabbing at a Swift-themed event.
Yesterday (July 29), three children were killed in a knife attack that took place at a Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on Hart Street. As reported by Sky News, three of the victims – six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar – have sadly passed while five other children and two adults remain in critical condition.
A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. According to police, he is originally from Cardiff and lived in the village of Banks close to Southport in Merseyside, England.
Earlier today, Swift shared a handwritten statement addressing the attack on her Instagram Stories feed. “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” she wrote.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”
The singer continued: “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Now, two Swift fans have launched a fundraiser to help raise funds for those affected by the tragedy and have so far raised over £120,000.
“We are working with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to help raise money for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport, and raising funeral funds for the two young swifties who have tragically passed. Every donation through this link goes directly to the verified charity below, which will in turn help make a difference to those impacted in a time of great sadness,” read the description on the JustGiving page.
The stabbing is believed to be an isolated incident, and it is not being treated as terror-related. Police are not looking for other suspects in connection with the attack. However, the motivation for the incident is currently “unclear”.
In a statement to the press, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children.
“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
Taylor Swift played three concerts in the nearby Liverpool last month as part of the UK and Ireland leg of her ongoing ‘Eras Tour’.
The post Taylor Swift fans launch fundraiser, raising over £100k after Southport knife attack appeared first on NME.
