Hundreds of people gathered to watch the funeral of a seven-year-old Manchester United fan who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run. William Brown sadly died when he was hit by a car while trying to collect a football from a road in Kent on December 6.
His burial and funeral took place at St Mary and St Eanswythe Church in Folkstone on Saturday (January 13) where hundreds of people stood outside with the 400-seat capacity church filled. Many mourners stood outside holding flowers, praying and crying as they tuned into via a livestream.
William died after a crash on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade, when he was hit while trying to collect his football, his father William Brown Sr said.
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The family had campaigned for special permission for William to be buried in the churchyard Folkstone, which had been closed for burials since 1857. The King however granted the family’s wish, and on Saturday afternoon William was buried under the chestnut tree in the church grounds where the little boy enjoyed spending his time.
The pupil of St Eanswythe’s Church of England Primary School, next to the church, had written in his 2021 school yearbook: “I feel peaceful when I am sat under the chestnut tree.”
Two white horses carried William’s coffin draped in a Manchester United flag to the church, with a Manchester United football and trophy among the items accompanying him.
William’s father and others carried the coffin into the church, led by the Bishop of Dover and joined by family.
Paying tribute to her son during the live-streamed service, his mother Laura Brown described William as a “best friend to many” and “unique spirit” who was “engrossed in the natural and historical world”.
The song Lean On Me was played to start the service, while others such as Joyful Joyful and One Sweet Day were sung during the celebration of William’s life.
Leading the service, Reverend Dr John Walker said: “Your tragedy has touched so many people in and around Folkestone. People are here because they wish you well, they stand with you in your grief.”
Mr Brown Sr also paid tribute to his son, saying he was the “proudest dad” to William, and recalled memories such playing football in the park and digging a six-foot hole in the earth.
“We are so sure he would want to be buried because he found peace in the earth,” Mr Brown said.
He also thanked the community for the “moving and uplifting” support, including 4,000 people who signed the petition for the churchyard to be re-opened to allow William’s burial.
Addressing his son, he said: “I’m honoured to be your father, I have learnt so much from you, you have moulded me into a better person, I love you and I will always carry you with me.”
Nearly 1,000 people donated to a GoFundMe page set up by the family after his death to help with funeral costs and remaining funds are to be donated to St Mary and St Eanswythe Church to go towards a new heating system.
More than £21,000 has been raised so far.
The Bishop of Dover, Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkins – who gave a blessing at the service, told the PA news agency: “What is really good at the moment is seeing the whole community, and in particular the school community, coming out to stand with the family, to stand with the parents with his little sister.
“[That’s] something that they will always remember, that they were not alone at a time like this.”
