More than £100,000 raised in first week of Southport Strong Together Appeal

The Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside has launched a new fundraising initiative for the families and community of Southport - and has already secured more than £100,000.

The foundation partnered with Sefton Council and Sefton CVS to create the Southport Strong Together Appeal the day after the knife attack in which three little girls - Elsie, Alice and Bebe - lost their lives.

Donations to the appeal will help to provide support to those affected in a range of ways. They will be offered as charitable gifts to those who have lost loved ones, or sustained physical or psychological injuries, and also awarded as grants to local and regional charities providing vital support services to those affected. 

The campaign is backed by the National Emergencies Trust, Charity Commission and Fundraiser Regulator. 

The Liverpool ONE Foundation pledged £50,000 and the total raised has already reached six figures.

Karen Morris, of the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, said: "There will be a lot of support required in the weeks, months and even years ahead for the families and those directly affected on the 29th July plus wider community healing and reassurance.

"The scope of the fund is broad, so we can support the victims, families and the community immediately and also in the longer term with trauma support, mental health, community cohesion."

Rae Brooke, CEO of Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, said: “We cannot change the devastating events that have unfolded in our community, or reverse the grief and pain that so many will be feeling - but we can make a difference to those whose lives have been affected.

"We are launching the Southport Strong Together Appeal to raise funds for the children and adults directly involved, their loved ones and the wider community.”

Click here to make your donation.

Picture shows: Lytham Windmill lit pink in support of all of those affected.