MORE than 100 people gathered at Derby Cathedral to say goodbye to a five-year-old boy who died from a rare genetic condition.
Derby County manager Nigel Clough, along with players Gareth Roberts and Shaun Barker, were among guests who attended the funeral of Morgan Mawson, who died on August 15.
The Sinfin boy's death came more than two years after he was diagnosed with infantile Batten's disease, which gradually killed the nerves in his body. It left him struggling to talk or move and caused him to go blind.
A white horse-drawn carriage, the horses wearing orange and white feathers, carried Morgan's small white coffin to Derby Cathedral yesterday. The horses were draped with Derby County flags. Morgan supported the Rams along with Blackburn Rovers.
The pall-bearers included Morgan's uncle Adrian Mann and father Eddie, both wearing orange ties. Orange is a colour associated with Batten's disease.
As the sunlight flooded into the cathedral, guests arrived wearing orange flowers in their hair and on lapels, and carrying orange roses.
The coffin, decorated with a rocket ship and stars, was carried down the aisle to the song, Heaven's Now My Home.
After a welcome from the Rev Canon Elaine Jones, who baptised Morgan while he was in hospital, two members of the Salvation Army, where Morgan and his sister Mia attended Sunday School, took the rest of the service.
Major Ted Benneyworth of the Salvation Army said in an address to the congregation: "Today is a very sad day. I have already seen a few tears. You can shed a few tears but only if you smile at the same time."
Morgan's Uncle Adrian Mann shared his happy memories of Morgan with the congregation, his speech punctuated by tears.
The hymn, Jesus Loves Me! This I Know, which Morgan's mother, Jen, used to sing to her son, was sung.
Jen and Mia then read poems they had written for Morgan, Mia's entitled My Baby Brother. it ended: "You can now rest your head, my sweet baby brother." Jen's poem was called Our Angel. She described Morgan as "my baby bear, my big man".
The funeral procession left the Cathedral to a song from the Lion King called I Just Can't Wait To Be King, which Jen said had soothed Morgan during his time in hospital.
