Singer Taylor Swift says the knife attack at one of her music-themed dance lessons that left three children dead and nine others injured has left her “in complete shock”.
Children and adults have attacked at the event on Hart Street, Southport, on Monday.
Posting on Instagram, the star said she was “completely at a loss for how to convey my sympathy.
Her fans have raised more than £180,000 for the families of the victims of the Merseyside knife attack.
Swift, who plays near Liverpool as part of her European tour in June, spoke of the “horror” of the attack, caused three children to dieFive people were seriously injured and three others were injured, “wading over her”.
She said the “loss of life and innocence” and the “terrible trauma inflicted on everyone present” left her “completely at a loss for words as to how to express my sympathy to these families”.
A crowdfunding page called Swifties for Southport has raised more than £181,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, which treats many of the injured children.
The organisers of the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook group said the money would go to a hospital charity.
In a statement, the group said it was working with the hospital to “support fundraising for the families affected by the tragedy in Southport”.
They also said they were “raising funeral funds for two young Swifties who have tragically passed away”.
They added that any donations would go to the hospital’s charity and would “help make a difference to those affected at this incredibly sad time”.
Cristina Jones, from the group, said BBC News found Swift’s statement expressing sympathy “adorable”.
“The writing was very, very sincere… and I felt like she took the time to really craft it,” she said.
“I’m really grateful that she said this, because I could see she really cared.
“I know she’s going to be totally focused on the families, and I think that’s what we need to focus on right now.”
She added that the group was “very, very pleased” with the money raised and she would be speaking to the hospital about it soon.
The attack also seriously injured two adults.
A 17-year-old boy, from Banks in Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack.
Police said the motive for the attack remained “unknown” but did not treat it as a terrorist-related act.
