SOUTHPORT & Birkdale Sports Club is looking forward to hosting a very special evening next weekend - the Southport Charity Ball in aid of Elsie’s Story and Southport Soup Kitchen. 

Among VIP guests sure to be given a rousing reception will be Jenni and David Stancombe, the Mum and Dad of Elsie and founders of Elsie’s Story, and Marie Buchanan, who has devoted the past 20 years of her life to ensuring Southport Soup Kitchen supports the most vulnerable in our society. 

David Stancombe recently completed the 26.2 London Marathon for Elsie’s Story, running alongside Sergio Aguiar. 

Last week, Marie Buchanan was honoured as the Finalist for the Main Award in the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards in recognition of her immense work with her charity. 

The Southport Charity Ball in aid of Elsie’s Story and Southport Soup Kitchen will take place at S&B, on Trafalgar Road in Birkdale in Southport on:- Saturday, 9 May 2026, from 6pm until late. 

The black tie event is already sold out with guests looking forward to raising awareness about these two amazing local charities and as much money as they can for the fantastic work they both do. 

Guests can enjoy ‘prosecco on the patio’ on arrival; a 3-course dinner with delicious food cooked by D’Vine Catering; and entertainment from singer Dave Broe, followed by DJ Baz Todd until 12.30am. 

In addition to ticket sales, funds will also be raised through an auction and a raffle with some superb prizes on offer, kindly provided by local companies. 

They include a beautiful pair of diamond earrings, generously donated by David Search Jewellers and valued at £2,500. 

Southport Charity Ball event organiser Andrew Carney said:- “We’re all looking forward to our Southport Charity Ball, which is the culmination of months of great teamwork between everyone at S&B and Southport Rugby Club. We can’t wait to welcome everyone - I’m sure we’ll see lots of people with big hearts and deep pockets! This is a busy year with lots of positive collaboration between our two great clubs, as we look to achieve meaningful local impact, directing support to Elsie’s Story and Southport Soup Kitchen. We are grateful for the backing of some fabulous local people and businesses including S&B for hosting this event, Elite Events Group for installing the marquee, Scott Mackin and Moonlight Events, superb local singer Dave Broe, and more." 

He continued:- "We’re very grateful to everyone who has kindly offered us some superb auction and raffle prizes. If there is anyone else who would like to donate please let me know! Among the prizes on offer are a beautiful pair of diamond earrings from David Search Jewellers and valued at £2,500, which will be available through our raffle. Tickets are £20 each, with all proceeds being split between the two charities. The raffle is open from now until 9 May 2026, with the draw taking place on the evening of the charity ball at S&B. Entry is open to everyone prior to this date, as well as to guests attending on the night. If you would like to purchase a ticket or require any further information, please feel free to get in touch with Ella Carney on snbcharityball@gmail.com. Thank you very much for your support, and a special thank you to David Search Jewellers. Look out for more  exciting events taking place throughout this year by S&B and Southport Rugby Club, including the Southport Colour Run, and more.”

The Southport Charity Ball will be held inside a specially installed luxury heated and seated marquee provided by Elite Event Group, which is also working with S&B on providing facilities when The Open Golf Championship is held at nearby Royal Birkdale Golf Club this summer. 

Elite Events Group CEO Mark Dilley said:- “As an established local business, we are always proud to support our local charities and do our bit to help where we can.” 

Southport & Birkdale Sports Club and Southport Rugby Club are doing all they can this year to support Elsie’s Story and Southport Soup Kitchen.

While their missions differ, both organisations share a common purpose — offering care, compassion, and practical support to children, families, and vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

You could take part in the Southport Colour Run; attend a Charity Dinner; or support the Elsie’s Story Charity Football Match, with more exciting events to be announced.

Both S&B and Southport Rugby Club want to achieve meaningful local impact, directing support to vulnerable people through two good causes with a very strong community connection.

This is a huge year for Southport with visitors from around the world flying in for The Open golf championship at Royal Birkdale, with four major new events including Lightport, Cristal Palace, the Big Top Festival and Books Alive.

Work is also due to begin on the restoration of Southport Pier and the construction of the new Town Hall Gardens as the town’s regeneration continues. S&B and Southport Rugby Club will ensure 2026 is a momentous year as the local community comes together too.

Elsie’s Story is a charitable trust established in memory of Elsie Dot Stancombe, a 7-year-old girl tragically killed in the Southport attack in July 2024. Founded by her family, the charity seeks to transform loss into positive change by continuing Elsie’s legacy of kindness, joy, and compassion.

The charity’s guiding mission is to “turn heartbreak into hope”.

Southport Soup Kitchen is a long-standing local charity, established around 2002, and has been supporting the community for over 20 years. It is run entirely by volunteers and has no paid staff.

The soup kitchen supports vulnerable individuals and families by providing:- free hot meals and drinks, food parcels, plus essential items such as toiletries, hats and gloves.

For more details about Elsie’s Story please visit this website.

For more details about Southport Soup Kitchen please click here.