Elsie Dot Stancombe

You will all be aware of the horrendous attack in Southport on Monday 29 July. What you are probably not aware of is that one of the little girls who lost her life, Elsie Dot Stancombe, is part of the extended Royal Mail family, the daughter of one of our postmen from Southport Delivery Office.

David Stancombe has worked for Royal Mail for 12 years and is a loyal, valued member of the team. Speaking with David and his wife Jenny brings home how devastating this loss is for them. They understandably want to ensure that the memory of Elsie lives on. David would like his Royal Mail family to know just how wonderful a little girl and loving daughter Elsie was.

David shared with us that she was the sweetest and most polite young girl you could ever meet and was loved by everyone. Elsie was chosen to be a part of every single school play and was also a member of the school council. She absolutely loved life, parties and lit up every room she entered.

One memory David shared with us is when he was walking in his Royal Mail uniform and was approached by a customer who worked at a holiday club Elsie had attended. David brimmed with pride as he explained how his customer went out of her way to tell him how his little girl was a pleasure along with being lovely and polite.

Even at such a young age, she would throw her energy into doing things like fundraising for charity for the hospice that cared for her late grandmother. Elsie raised £400 and told her parents she wished to double it the following year showing just what a selfless, caring young girl she was.

David would like everybody to know how special Elsie was during her lifetime and how in the short time she was with us she had a lasting impact on every person that she met.

David and Jenny are a private family and don’t want a lot of attention. But they would like to keep Elsie’s name and memories alive while supporting the nursery she attended who have named a garden after her – Elsie’s Place. The family wish to contribute towards a renovation of this garden to make it a special place in memory of Elsie but also one in which other families can take their children to pick and grow vegetables.

David and Jenny are showing tremendous strength, dignity and courage to keep going for their younger daughter Rosie in the most difficult of circumstances I can’t even begin to imagine.

I’m sure the family will be in everyone’s thoughts at this sad time and if you wish to donate to the fundraising page please feel free to use this link.

Warmest regards,

Mark Wilkinson, Field Operations Director – North

Emily Coward, Operations Performance Leader - Lancashire