logo
Foundation set up in Southport victim's name to spread ‘magic'

Foundation set up in Southport victim's name to spread ‘magic'

Leader Live2 days ago
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, was killed along with Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and six-year-old Bebe King when Axel Rudakubana, 18, launched his knife attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town on July 29 last year.
Her parents Sergio and Alexandra Aguiar told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday they have set up the Alice's WonderDance foundation in their daughter's memory.
Mrs Aguiar said her daughter began dancing when she was 16 or 17-months-old and danced 'non-stop' from then.
She said: 'Alice's WonderDance is a foundation we created in the name of Alice just to show everyone how wonderful Alice was.
'We just want to provide fun for children in the world of dance.'
She said the logo for the charity features ballet shoes and a magic wand to 'spread the magic in her name'.
Money raised could go towards dance classes for after-school clubs, uniforms for children or university funding for young dancers, Mrs Aguiar said.
Mr Aguiar is set to take on six marathons across the world to raise funds, starting in Berlin next month.
He said: 'Every mile I run is for her and her name. I just think about her.'
He ran the London Marathon earlier in the year to raise money for a new playground at Churchtown Primary School, where Alice was a pupil.
The family said they have received support from Elsie's Story and Bebe's Hive – funds set up in memory of the other two victims.
Mr Aguiar said: 'We try to work together like a team, try to help each other.'
Family friend Sarah Buck told the programme the foundation is also selling merchandise, including T-shirts, bags and hats, to raise money.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KATIE HIND on Naga Munchetty: 'Naga's being treated like Gregg Wallace, Jermaine Jenas and Wynne Evans all rolled into one... it is punishment for standing up to her boss'
KATIE HIND on Naga Munchetty: 'Naga's being treated like Gregg Wallace, Jermaine Jenas and Wynne Evans all rolled into one... it is punishment for standing up to her boss'

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

KATIE HIND on Naga Munchetty: 'Naga's being treated like Gregg Wallace, Jermaine Jenas and Wynne Evans all rolled into one... it is punishment for standing up to her boss'

When BBC Breakfast won the first Bafta in its 25-year history this year, the champagne flowed and its editor, Richard Frediani, couldn't stop smiling. Stepping on to the stage to collect the prestigious award – granted for the programme's coverage of the Post Office scandal – was the culmination of years of hard work. Yet it came at a price. Months later Frediani – known as Fredi – stepped down following complaints about his alleged mistreatment of staff. He was on extended leave when the investigation began but is understood to have returned to work. Now it seems another senior employee is under the BBC microscope: its popular but controversial female anchor, Naga Munchetty. For weeks now, I'm told, those close to Frediani have been throwing mud at the Breakfast host as a form of retaliation for her role in defying him. 'This is all Richard's doing,' an insider tells me. 'It's disgusting. She is being dragged into all of the grotty male behaviour at the BBC because she dared stand up to Richard. She's being treated like Jermaine Jenas, Wynne Evans and Gregg Wallace all rolled into one.' Jenas is the football pundit sacked by the BBC last year over a sexting scandal. Evans stepped down for making lewd comments on Strictly Come Dancing. Wallace, meanwhile, was sacked this year from his role as MasterChef host after 45 allegations of misconduct were upheld against him. Naga first found herself under scrutiny in June over two alleged incidents, said to have taken place over three years, including one accusation that she bullied a junior member of staff – a complaint, I'm told, that was not upheld. It was also reported that she was hauled in to bosses after making a sex jibe while she was working in her other BBC role at Radio 5 Live. Having been made privy to this comment, I understand it was not directed at anyone but instead was a question to another woman about a rude picture. This week it was reported that Naga has been accused of high-handed behaviour, belittling junior staff over how she likes her toast. 'It needed to be a little bit burnt but not too much. And if you didn't get it right she would never shout at you but she would act as if it was a really stupid mistake to make,' one former staff member told the Telegraph. 'Instead she would be like, 'Oh, they can't get the toast right, they can't do anything'.' There was a separate story this week alleging that Naga had 'kicked off' at an intern over how they spread Marmite on her toast, had complained that her porridge was too hot and said she didn't like the blueberries on top. She is now, apparently, under review – something Frediani's circle are said to find 'absolutely hilarious'. But as one insider and Naga supporter told me: 'Richard's allies have been going hammer and tongs against Naga and all they have managed to come up with is a piece of toast.' Under-fire editor Richard Frediani (pictured) reportedly took an extended period of leave after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show I first revealed allegations about Frediani's 'bullish' managerial manner in April 2020, just months after he started working at the corporation. A series of complaints had already been made to the BBC's management and HR department about an 'intimidating and bullying' culture on Breakfast, which had led to long-term members of staff leaving their jobs. One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told me 'the whole atmosphere had become poisonous'. They added: 'There is a normalisation of people crying at work and on their journeys home. There are favourites and it is made explicitly clear to everyone in the newsroom who they are.' Until recently, staff would be ignored by Frediani and names would be 'forgotten'. A select 'banter' circle of white, straight men meant there was a culture of 'boys club favouritism'. Following the article, I was inundated with messages from people who worked for Frediani when he was at ITV News saying much the same. In June, I told how he was the subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one from a woman who had her grievance upheld after claiming that he physically shook her during a heated BBC newsroom exchange last year. One source said: 'It's the women who got it worse from Frediani and his clan. It's more often than not the women who get humiliated and shouted at.' I have also been contacted by staff who worked with Frediani at ITV, where he was Head of News, who say that he was also bullish to the lower rank and file, though was very good at 'managing upwards' – in other words, keeping in with his superiors. Sources previously compared the workplace to 'The Hunger Games' saying the morning programme had been 'ripped apart' amid allegations Last year Frediani had his role expanded to become editor of News At One by chief executive of news Deborah Turness – who was also his boss at ITV News. 'The fury is real about that decision,' one staff member tells me. The catalyst for Naga coming under scrutiny, and seemingly falling out of favour, began in 2023 when BBC management set their sights on that coveted Bafta. Their dogged desire for the award prompted a war between Frediani and Naga as they 'skirmished' over who told writers and production staff what to do. Sources tell me there was no one incident that prompted the fall-out but described it as 'like watching a slow train coming, as their respective egos bumped along for a while – but the situation simply couldn't last'. The staff member added: 'Frediani was given carte blanche to follow certain stories to the exclusion of others and his chosen stories were pumped up above the normal bland output. It was 'cheerio' to anyone who was not on board his train but Naga, as a more rounded journalist, did not like that. 'She can be very personally irritating but she has a sound journalism grounding. So Fredi and what was left standing of the BBC Breakfast team won that Bafta for the Post Office story. Some BBC management yes men said 'well done' but you cannot believe the long-standing pain and ructions this has caused in pursuit of an award.' Meanwhile, Naga's co-anchor Charlie Stayt has been left in an invidious position, according to my sources, with both sides chasing his backing and approval. 'He is beloved by the rank and file but doesn't have many allies in the creepy mid-management class,' said the insider. As for the future of the show, Naga would be forgiven for casting around for a new role, either at Sky or LBC, but it doesn't look like she's found anything yet. One of her colleagues told me they are 'saddened' that she feels the need to leave the corporation after 15 years climbing through the ranks to become one of the most recognisable faces (and voices) on the network.

Strictly winner ‘revealed' after full line up is announced – and it's not Dani Dyer
Strictly winner ‘revealed' after full line up is announced – and it's not Dani Dyer

Scottish Sun

time9 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Strictly winner ‘revealed' after full line up is announced – and it's not Dani Dyer

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STRICTLY hasn't even started yet but there is one contestant who is already in the running to win. At the start of the month we revealed that Ellie Goldstein, 23, had been snapped up by BBC One to compete in this year's series. 3 Ellie Goldstein is in the running to win the show even before its started Credit: BBC 3 The model with Down syndrome currently has the best odds to lift the Glitterball Trophy Credit: Splash The model with Down syndrome is leading the way with 3/1 odds on her lifting the Glitterball Trophy. She is ahead of YouTuber George CAlarke at 5/1 and TV personality Dani Dyer at 6/1. Another big mover is The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, who has been backed into 10/1 from 25/1. While Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis and US entertainment reporter Ross King are right down at the bottom with 33/1. Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: 'With every contestant confirmed, punters have been making their favourites known. Ellie Goldstein has waltzed her way to the head of the betting, but it's tight at the top.' On Wednesday Ellie confirmed she was taking part in the new series, almost two weeks after The Sun first revealed the signing. Ellie danced her way into the BBC Breakfast studio as she shared her "excitement" at joining the iconic show. The actress said she "can't wait to get started" but admitted she would find it "scary at first". She also revealed that her dream pro dance partner would be Nikita Kuzmin. Ellie told BBC Breakfast that her family are "very supportive" of her being on Strictly, but that she found it "hard" keeping it a secret from them. Kristian Nairn and Karen Carney has been confirmed for Strictly She then added: "My disability has taught me to be me not to be scared. "Never give up. Be who you are. "I smile all the way through the night." Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was the first celebrity confirmed. Harry AKA Nitro's signing for Strictly was shortly followed by the announcement of three more contestants - Love Island star Dani Dyer, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Monday's episode of The One Show. EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, who plays the role of Suki Panesar in the hit soap, was then confirmed on Tuesday morning. With YouTuber George Clarke unveiled on Tuesday afternoon on BBC Radio 1. Ellie will be waltzing their way onto the dance floor next month. Essex-born Ellie is the first contestant with Down syndrome to take part in a full Strictly series. Ellie being signed for the show comes after CBeebies presenter George Webster performed in the 2022 Christmas special. A source told The Sun earlier this month: "Ellie is thrilled to be taking part in Strictly. "She has broken down so many barriers in her career, from modelling for Gucci to being the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of Vogue. "Ellie can't wait to get started on the show and show people what she can do." Ellie's parents were told she would never be able to walk or talk after she was born with Down syndrome. However she defied the odds, and Ellie says she now 'never stops talking'. She began modelling as a teen and has worked with brands including Victoria's Secret, Adidas and Gucci. In 2023 she became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue and was honoured with her own Barbie doll, now sold worldwide. Ellie said: 'I am proving people wrong and I am a role model for people like me. "Doctors said I wouldn't talk but now I never stop talking! "You should always believe in yourself.'

Sir David Jason says 'I can't' as he makes supririsng Naga Munchetty admission
Sir David Jason says 'I can't' as he makes supririsng Naga Munchetty admission

Wales Online

time14 hours ago

  • Wales Online

Sir David Jason says 'I can't' as he makes supririsng Naga Munchetty admission

Sir David Jason says 'I can't' as he makes supririsng Naga Munchetty admission Sir David Jason made an admission about Naga Munchetty (Image: BBC) Sir David Jason said 'I can't' as he made an admission about BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty. The 85-year-old was appearing on the renowned red sofa to promote his upcoming tour. ‌ During the interview he appeared to be 'flirting' with presenter Naga Munchetty, making a series of cheeky remarks. While recalling one anecdote, Sir David appeared to begin to trail off. ‌ It prompted presenter Charlie Stayt to attempt to steer him back on track. He said: 'Come back to the anecdote, what was it you were going to say? A little story?' ‌ Only Fools and Horses icon Sir David replied: 'Yes I was, but… you… it's Naga, I can't resist, [I can't] take my eyes off her.' During the interview Sir David also joked that Charlie was 'in the way' by sitting between the actor and journalist Naga. It led to Charlie joking that 'three's a crowd'. Sir David appeared on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC) Article continues below Sir David made another flirty remark when Naga asked if he 'always does as he's told' after he refused to divulge too much information about his project. He replied: 'Naga please, yes, I will, for certain people. Not you Charlie.' The actor signed off the interview with another cheeky remark towards the BBC presenter. After saying goodbye to Charlie, Sir David said: 'Thank you Charlie, thank you Naga, see you later.' The presenter laughed as she replied: 'You're a funny man.' ‌ Charlie started the BBC Breakfast segment by explaining that Sir David made 'quite the entrance'. He said: 'Good morning. Can I just describe for the viewers who are watching this morning, you make an entrance. 'I was quite impressed. As you came into our studio a moment ago you were saying hello to everyone. You know how to make an entrance, would that be fair to say?' Sir David spoke with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty (Image: BBC) ‌ Sir David explained: 'Well no, it's just that I like to feel comfortable but I like also, if you can, to make the people that you're with comfortable. 'The great thing is really to be a little bit outrageous to put everybody at their ease. It's a bit of fun, you know? I said good morning to the camera, nobody except the camera was there, but the camera seemed to like it!' Sir David's television career began on the made-for-TV film Mother Goose in 1965. A year later he landed the part of Bert Bradshaw in Crossroads. Article continues below He was cast as Del Boy Trotter in John Sullivan's Only Fools and Horses in 1981. The show is widely regarded as one of the best British sitcoms. Sir David also appeared in Open All Hours alongside Ronnie Barker. He was knighted in 2005 for his services to acting and comedy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store