'Go Anywhere Be Anything' Foundation launched by sisters who survived Southport tragedy

THE official launch has taken place for the new GABA Foundation, created by 2 inspiring sisters who have created a stylish new clothing range and a determination to tackle knife crime as well as mental health support.

The GABA Foundation was set up by 2 girls aged:- 14 and 10, who were involved in the tragic Southport attack last summer.

The eldest girl, who was stabbed 3 times by the killer, was heroic in getting some of the younger girls in the Taylor Swift themed dance class out of the room and towards safety.

They have now teamed up to start GABA Clothing, a cool new brand which stands for:- 'Go Anywhere - Be Anything.’

It features a series of t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies and caps for both adults and children:- Home - GABA Clothing

The official launch took place at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant, as supporters gathered to celebrate the start of a powerful journey which aims to effect real change in society.

Money raised through sales will fund peer led knife crime awareness in Schools and Colleges, and a drive to bring in compulsory First Aid training for all pupils.

The GABA logo is:- 'The Cheeky Monkey...’

'Sarah’, the older girl behind GABA Clothing, said:- "This cheeky monkey was chosen to symbolise my sister’s playful and spirited nature! Like most little sisters, she is very cheeky! It serves as a reminder that even in adversity, you can always find joy and mischief. The monkey has a scar to represent the scars that I have from the attack in Southport. It highlights the idea that scars, whether mental or physical, don’t take away from anyone’s ability to experience happiness and playfulness. We chose the headphones because we have both always loved music. Music has always been an essential part of our lives, bringing us peace and happiness. The headphones in our logo symbolise our love for dancing and listening to a diverse range of artists."

'Sarah' who was 13 at the time of the attack, was left with life threatening injuries and a fractured spinal vertebrae.

Her only thought at the time was for her younger sister and the other girls in the room.

She said:- "I remember shouting for them to get down and get out. I was physically pushing them down the stairs to get everyone out. I thought that he wasn’t going to stop until he killed everyone."

The GABA clothing range has been designed by the girls and has been produced by Red Squirrel Creations in Southport.

People who buy the clothing can share their determination to reduce knife crime.

'Sarah’ said:- "Even just thinking about anyone in the community carrying a knife, but also anyone my age, I just hate the very thought of that. We created the clothing to help fund the Foundation, because we can’t always rely on donations, although they are greatly appreciated! My sister and I refused to let the incident define our future. Instead, we channelled our energy into supporting local communities that have faced similar hardships. Through the GABA Foundation, what we want to achieve is knife crime awareness; to provide First Aid training in High Schools and Colleges; and we want to get it onto the curriculum for all Schools across the country. It’s all very well having defibrillators and bleed packs in local communities, but if you don’t know how to use them, then that becomes an issue. Some people get scared when it comes to using them because they don’t know what to do. We want to see a situation where as many people as possible learn all about how to do CPR, and how to use defibrillators and bleed packs. In young people’s minds, if you think you may be stabbed, you may have to hold down a wound, and it may help to give people second thoughts about carrying knives and what they are doing. We're keen to support mental health projects and charities. We also want to educate on knife crime using peers who have experienced going through it. I remember a couple of years back sitting in an assembly in school with a police officer telling us about knife crime and all the statistics, and it wasn’t as engaging as it could have been. When we get people coming into our School more similar in age to us talking about things like drugs and how they have been involved with them from a young age, and the impact it has had on their own lives, and their families, it resonates with you more. We want to do a similar thing with knife crime as well."

The launch was hosted by Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant in Southport.

Silcock Leisure Group Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince is a trustee for the GABA Foundation.  She said:- "I have been extremely impressed and inspired by these two girls. They are extraordinary. They are amazing young ladies, so courageous. They are determined to create something so positive for other young people and other families. I love the ethos of GABA Clothing, I’d love to see people give them lots of support in what they’re aiming to achieve."

GABA was born out of a desire to transform personal tragedy into a catalyst for hope and healing.

It aspires to create more than just a brand. The girls want to cultivate a community that values resilience, creativity, and compassion.

Through their products, they aim to inspire individuals to embrace their uniqueness and pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Together, they can build a future where everyone feels empowered to:- 'Go Anywhere Be Anything.'

For more details about GABA Clothing please visit:- GABA-Clothing.Com.

Around 26,000 households in Liverpool might be able to receive free School Meals

MORE than 100 families in Liverpool have already signed up for a new initiative to automatically enrol eligible children for free School Meals.

Approximately 26,000 households in the City receive free School Meals, but national figures show that around one in ten children are missing out.

Liverpool City Council has streamlined the enrolment process as part of its commitment to boosting take-up rates, to ensure no child goes without a decent meal during the School day, and saving parents around £500 per year.

The Council has identified approximately 550 children who are not currently enrolled.

An initial letter was sent encouraging those families to sign up, and 100 households have already done so.

In the latest phase, the Council has now written to households to inform them that it will move to automatically enrolling eligible children. Parents and carers who do not respond will then receive confirmation that their child will be enrolled unless they choose to opt out.

The proactive approach is designed to ensure no child misses out on their entitlement as they return to School after the summer break.

An additional benefit is that it will boost Pupil Premium funding for the School each child attends. This is currently worth £1,480 per child for primary Schools, and £1,050 for secondary Schools.

The move aligns with the UK Government's announcement that all families receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free School Meals from September 2026. The Government has said that, nationally, it will lift 100,000 children out of poverty.

Families can also find out if they are eligible for free School Meals, and register themselves, at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK.

Councillor Ruth Bennett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, and Transformation, said:- "It is vital that every child in this City has the best possible start in life, and access to free School Meals is an integral part of that. By automatically enrolling all eligible children, we are guaranteeing that every child who is entitled to a free School Meal will receive it. It is putting money back into the pockets of families each year, making a real difference to households struggling with the cost of living.”

Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills, Councillor Joanne Kennedy, said:- "Children need to be in the best possible frame of mind for learning, and a decent meal is an essential part of that. Together with the Government's commitment to extend free School Meals for all children whose parents receive Universal Credit from September 2026, it will make a real difference to many hundreds of young people in our City.”

However many freelance and self employed affected by the minimum income floor could be excluded from this, due to them not being able to claim Universal Credit. If this is the case for you, please let us know by emailing our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.