There was a heartwarming tribute to Alice, Elsie and Bebe during the show
There was a heartwarming tribute to Alice, Elsie and Bebe during the show
Two dads from Southport have been awarded a prestigious prize at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025. Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe were awarded the “Helen Rollason Award” on Thursday evening as part of the annual ceremony. The award recognises an “outstanding contribution in the face of adversity”.
Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Clare Balding were hosting the event held at MediaCityUK in Salford. As they began to introduce the first award of the night, a video montage played out on screen.
Sergio and David are the dads of Elsie and Alice, who were two of the girls who were murdered at the Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport on July 29, 2024.
The parents of the young girls each launched their own fundraising projects to continue their legacies. Sergio and David decided to take on the challenge of running the London Marathon in April this year.
Clare Balding announced the two dads were to be awarded with the “Helen Rollason” award, which recognises outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
After receiving the prestigious award, David and Sergio took to the stage to say a few words, giving a heart-warming tribute to their girls.
David told viewers he wouldn’t be saying much but was “very grateful” to receive the recognition.
He said: “I won’t be saying much but I’ll try and say something. I’m just very grateful to accept the award tonight. But I’m just a dad keeping a promise to his little girl.
“Elsie wanted me to run London Marathon and I did. It gave me a massive focus through the hardest times I’ve ever lived through. As a family, it kept us all focussed.
“Also it gave me an opportunity to demonstrate Elsie’s effort, bravery and determination, just a fraction of that. I’d just like to thank everyone who supported us and made it possible.”
Sergio added: “Thank you for the award, it means a lot to me, my wife and my princess Alice. I want to dedicate this award to Alice, Bebe and Elsie, the three girls. Keep dancing.
“I want to spread Alice’s magic across the world and I’ll keep running and doing the six major world marathons in her name, and fundraise for the foundation. I want to keep the magic and spread her name across the world. Thank you.”
Clare Balding said: “The memory of those wonderful girls is very much here with us tonight.”
BBC Sports Personality of the Year airs on BBC One
