Merseyside charities, dance studios and Taylor Swift fans have so far raised more than £500,000 to support the victims of a knife attack and the wider community in Southport.

As of Friday morning £512,972 has been raised in total.

A fundraising campaign spearheaded by Taylor Swift fans in collaboration with Alder Hey Children’s Charity has raised more than £348,000 to support families in Southport impacted by Monday’s knife attack.

Their JustGiving fundraiser has been launched by Cristina Jones and Holly Goldring, from the singer’s UK and EU Facebook Group, in collaboration with the charity, which supports the work of Alder Hey children’s hospital, one of the sites where victims of the incident have been treated.

The money raised by Swifties for Southport has far exceeded its initial target of £13,000. So far more than 20,000 people have donated.

The money will be used to cover funeral costs of the three young children who died following the knife attack at the Taylor Swift themed dance session in Southport.

It will also be used to provide support for their families and to other victims of the attack.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity will distribute money raised.

“After seeing the horrors of what took place in Southport, we are working with Alder Hey Children’s Charity to help raise money for the victims, their families and everyone affected,” states Jones and Goldring’s fundraiser.

“We know that no amount of money can bring back the three innocent lives lost, but we do hope that all our love and support will provide a small bit of comfort to their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Council links up with local charity sector

Another fundraiser has been launched by the local charity sector in partnership with Sefton Council.

The Southport Strong Together Appeal has so far raised more than £76,000 and involves the Community Foundations of Lancashire and Merseyside as well as Sefton CVS.

“Donations to the Southport Strong Together Appeal will help to provide support to those affected in a range of ways,” states their fundraising page.

“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.”

It will also fund groups in Southport offering mental health and bereavement support to the community and those delivering community cohesion and violence prevention initiatives.

Southport Strong Together Appeal is being backed by the National Emergencies Trust (NET) and charity regulators.

If you are looking to support those affected by the knife attack in #Southport on 29th July, the most effective way you can help is to give money to support the local relief effort: https://t.co/FgBernLQWx [🧵] pic.twitter.com/KUxB7oYmZh

— National Emergencies Trust (@NatEmergTrust) July 30, 2024

“Funds raised by the Southport Strong Together Appeal will help to support the immediate and longer-term needs of those affected in a range of ways, including as charitable gifts for the individuals impacted, and grants to local and regional charities who can provide vital support services,” said the NET.

Safe giving

In also backing the Southport Strong Together Appeal, the Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator have urged people to ensure they give safely when donating to campaigns supporting victims and the wider community in Southport.

Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said its staff in the region had been "deeply affected" by the tragedy.

"Charities are bringing people together to provide support for the victims and the wider community," he said.

"That, along with the generosity of people who are showing their support by making donations, is heartening, and people can continue to give to registered, established charities knowing they are well placed to get that help to them quickly."

Fundraising Regulator chief executive Gerald Oppenheim added: "In the aftermath of this tragedy, we know the British public will be eager to support those affected. We want to make sure that every donation reaches its intended cause, and one of the ways of making sure this happens is by following our recommended safer giving checks.

"Giving through registered charities like the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside appeal will ensure your donations reach their intended destination and are used for the purpose they were fundraised for. We’ll be taking an active role, to support those raising money for the community."

Dance studios

A separate GoFundMe fundraiser set up on behalf of dance companies UK wide has raised more than £88,000. Money raised will be used to support those impacted by the attack.

“The dance world is a wonderful community of people who gain such joy from dancing and it's impossible to comprehend what has happened at this dance class.

“All funds raised will go directly to the families affected to help them in whatever way they may need,” states their page.

Donors include former Liverpool FC footballer Steven Gerrard, who donated £10,000 to the campaign.

Teenager charged

17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana from Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with murdering six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

He has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were injured in the attack, which took place on Monday.

Rudakubana’s identity has been made public following a legal ruling by Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary.

The incident prompted a far-right activist riot in the area. They attacked a mosque based on misinformation on social media. This left 53 police officers injured.

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