Two heartbroken dads who each lost a daughter in last year's attack said their girls will be with them in spirit as they run this weekend's for charity. Alice Aguiar, nine, seven year-old Elsie Stancombe and Bebe King, six, were fatally stabbed by murder-obsessed 17 year-old Axel Rudakubana as they enjoyed a -themed dance class last 29th July.

Now devoted dads David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar are running the London Marathon to raise money for projects established in their daughters' memory - with their cherished child's spirits each pushing them on to finish. Sergio is running Sunday's 26.2-mile race to help pay for an adventure playground at Alice and Bebe's Churchtown Primary - while David is fundraising for the 'Elsie's Story' charitable trust that helps young people.

Determined Sergio said he even talks to Alice when he's running alone, explaining: "I tell her to keep going with me, that we're going to do this together, you're going to be with me - always."

Meanwhile David says his daughter would be very proud of his efforts - as he and Elsie had watched coverage of the marathon on TV last year and she told him he should run the race in honour of her grandmother.

"A little bit of me was like, 'oh yeah, alright Els,'" he said. "I just never thought I would be running it for these reasons."

All three shattered families will be in the capital this weekend for the race with Bebe's parents, Lauren and Ben King, also both attending the marathon to support the other two dads.

Bebe's mum Lauren told the BBC: "It is just incredible what they are both doing and we want to be a part of it every step of the way."

Lauren says it is important to the couple that they are at the roadside as they want to represent their daughter while David and Sergio are cheered towards the finish line.

"They were such wonderful, caring little children," she added. "Even though none of them knew each other, they were all so similar. And I reckon they are just up there watching over us and looking out for us."

Elsie's proud mum Jenni Stancombe said: "I keep saying Elsie and those other girls will live longer than us. Elsie's Story and the work that we're doing in the community will continue her legacy."

She says the grants are for "causes that will bring joy, happiness and support to children... Elsie wouldn't want it any other way".

The grieving mum added that she chokes up at the thought of David crossing the finish line and imagining what their daughter's reaction would have been.

"She'd be shouting from the line, you'd hear her above everybody else," she went on. "She'd take his medal off him straight away."

David explained that around 40 friends and family will be in London to cheer him on, all wearing hoodies and t-shirts featuring the Elsie's Story logo.

He revealed: "I've seen so many videos of people crying at the end of the London marathon and I can't imagine what that will be like. But I want to enjoy the day. I want to do it for me and I want to do it for Elsie."

Jenni stressed she is certain her husband will complete the marathon, having witnessed his resilience and determination during training, adding: "I have absolutely no doubt, but I know it will be Elsie who'll be the one to carry him over that finish line."

The 26.2 mile (42 km) route finishes on The Mall in central London and, like David, Sergio is committed to crossing that famous finish line - even though he's never run that far before.

Sergio told the BBC: "Twenty-six miles, I've never done anything like that before. But for my girl, I would do 26 or 50 - whatever. The pain doesn't matter, I'm going to do it."

He is raising money to build a new playground, including a performance stage and library, at Churchtown Primary School, where Alice was a pupil. It will be dedicated to Alice and Bebe, who previously attended the school

Alexandra Aguiar, Alice's mum, says her daughter would have loved to see "her friends play on the playground that [bears] her name".

"The fact her name will be overlooking the playground forever, that would make her feel special," she says. "And [I'm sure it's the] same for Bebe."

While Lauren King agrees the new playground is a fitting tribute: "It's really special that all [Bebe's] friends from that school will have this lasting legacy of her.

"She'd be over the moon that she could bring some happiness to her friends and the kids of Churchtown."

Alexandra also feels certain her daughter's spirit will accompany her dad during the race: "She's always with us. And she's going to be there helping daddy."

She says she knows how Alice would have celebrated his efforts: "She would have made a big thing of it and told everyone. She would also bring her shopping list to do after the marathon!"

Running alongside Sergio will be Jinnie Payne, the headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, who said she has been struck by his courage to run and focus on the playground project.

Ms Payne remarked: "His determination and his resilience give me so much strength."

Sergio and Alexandra sat in the front row of the public gallery to watch evil Rudakubana be jailed for life, with a minimum of 52 years.

But when Rudakubana , falsely claiming he was ill and needed a doctor and was later send down to the court cells Sergio screamed "coward" at him.

On that fateful morning last summer Rudakubana, then aged 17, ordered a taxi from his home in Banks, Lancashire, and drove to The Hart Space armed with his blade.

Dance instructor Leanne Lucas had been hosting a sell-out Taylor Swift-themed event for six to 11 year olds to be held at The Hart Space - even using a life size Taylor Swift cardboard cut-out for children to have their pictures taken with.

As well as dancing, the children were set to make Swiftie bracelets and Taylor Swift-themed masks.

In a 15-minute rampage totalling around 300 stab wounds he murdered the three youngsters, injured another eight girls, dance instructor Ms Lucas, 36, and have-a-go-hero Jonathan Hayes, 63, who bravely tried to stop his slaughter.

After his arrest remorseless Rudakubana expressed joy over his stabbing spree to police officers boasting "it's a good thing those children are dead. I'm so glad, - six years old, so happy. I don't care, I'm feeling neutral."