Elsie’s Story Continues Building Hope & Support in Southport With Help From New Website

The Digital Media Guys is a specialist website design and website development agency in Southport, that works with many businesses across the country.

In July 2024, the town of Southport was shaken by the devastating attacks that claimed the lives of three children, along with affecting many other children and families. Shortly after that devastating day, Elsie Dot Stancombe’s family made a decision that would channel their grief into purpose. Elsie’s Story was founded, a registered charity dedicated to helping young people cope with the effects of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

One year on, the charity has grown into a national presence, offering vital resources, support and hope to those facing the long road of recovery after life-changing events. Now, thanks to a brand-new digital hub, created by The Digital Media Guys in April 2024, Elsie’s Story is equipped to reach even more people. The ambition to raise more funds and expand its mission far beyond what was once possible.

A Mission Born from Love

Elsie’s mother, Jen Stancombe, describes the early days of the charity as both a lifeline and a challenge.

“We just knew we had to do something in Elsie’s name,” she says. “She was such a caring, compassionate soul. She’d be the first to help anyone and we wanted to make sure that spirit lived on.”

From its earliest weeks, Elsie’s Story focused on creating safe spaces for young people to share their experiences. Offering access to counselling and funding programs that promote recovery and resilience. The charity’s reach grew quickly, helped in part by social media. The pace of that growth soon highlighted the limits of their existing online setup.

The Digital Challenge

By mid-2025, the charity’s operations had outgrown their initial digital presence. Information about events, sponsorships and fundraising efforts was spread across multiple platforms. Donations required extra steps, merchandise sales were handled manually and grant applications were a cumbersome, offline process.

The Stancombe family recognised the need for a single, professional online home. One that could centralise every aspect of the charity’s work and help it expand further.

Elsies Story Partner with The Digital Media Guys

After increasing their visibility through social media campaigns, Elsie’s Story reached out to The Digital Media Guys. The digital agency in Southport known for building tailored websites for organisations with big ambitions.

From the start, the team understood this was more than a typical project. It was about honouring a young life, the family and supporting a growing community of survivors into the future.

“We knew the site needed to be beautiful, functional, and deeply personal,” says David Mason from The Digital Media Guys. “It wasn’t just a place to share information; it had to feel like a living tribute to Elsie and a beacon of hope for anyone visiting.”

Building the New Website & Digital Hub

Working closely with the Stancombe family, the development team mapped out a site that would tackle the charity’s main pain points:

• Centralised Information – Bringing together news updates, event listings, fundraising ideas and charity partnerships in one accessible location.
• Donation Integration – Allowing visitors to give securely online, either as one-off contributions or through recurring monthly support.
• E-Commerce Capability – Launching an online shop for branded products, with proceeds going directly to the charity’s programs.
• Grant Application Portal – Enabling young people to apply for support directly through the site, streamlining the process.
• Sponsor Recognition – Creating a dedicated space to highlight the businesses and individuals who fund the charity’s work.
• Social Media Integration – Displaying live feeds to keep visitors connected with the charity’s latest updates and campaigns.

The result is elsiesstory.org, a modern, user-friendly website that not only tells Elsie’s story but empowers the charity to grow and thrive.

The Impact For Elsies Story

Since the site’s launch, Elsie’s Story has seen measurable improvements in engagement, fundraising and visibility. Online donations have increased, merchandise sales are providing a new income stream and the grant application process is now quicker and more accessible.

The integrated social media feeds keep the community updated in real time, while the events and fundraising section offers fresh ideas for supporters looking to get involved. Sponsors now have a dedicated showcase, helping to foster stronger long-term partnerships.

For Jen Stancombe, the results speak for themselves:

“The Digital Media Guys are just amazing! We’re so, so happy with everything and the new website is beautiful.”

Looking Ahead with The Digital Media Guys

With the infrastructure now in place, Elsie’s Story is better positioned than ever to achieve its mission. Plans are already underway to expand the range of resources available on the site, offer more merchandise options and create new digital tools for survivors and their families.

The charity hopes to use the website as a central rallying point for national fundraising campaigns, awareness drives, and collaborations with other organisations.

As the charity grows, the site will evolve alongside it, continuing to serve as both a memory to Elsie and a practical tool for change.

A Digital Legacy

In just one year, Elsie’s Story has transformed into a nationwide movement. The new website ensures that movement has a strong, accessible and beautiful digital foundation. One that reflects both the love behind the charity and the hope it offers for the future.

For those who wish to support Elsie’s Story,whether through donations, fundraising, sponsorship or simply learning more. Everything now begins with elsiesstory.org.

From tragedy has come a legacy of compassion. With each click, each donation and each new supporter, Elsie’s light continues to shine.