FAMILY and friends filled a church to say a tearful farewell to a much-loved schoolboy who died aged just five last month.

Liam Ellis, from Cashes Green, was described as a happy, kind boy with a beaming smile who could fill a room with joy.

The Foxmoor Primary School pupil died on August 24 following a holiday in Bridport, Dorset during which he suddenly became ill.

Today, at St Matthew’s Church, Cainscross, family and friends gathered to say an emotional goodbye. 

Many in attendance wore green - Liam’s favourite colour - at the request of the family.

To start the service all the family took Liam's casket in and walked behind - younger family members had decorated his casket and the cars in handmade Rainbow stickers which was part of the visual theme for the service along with green, his favourite colour. 

This walk in was to the song A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman, one of Liam’s favourite musicals.

During the service, poems were read out by Liam’s cousins Charlotte and Esme as well as his sister, Ella, eight.

A photo montage of Liam was shown on a screen to I Giorni by composer Ludovico Einaudi played by Martina, Liam’s mum, on piano.

This was after Manuel, Martina's partner, had played a Portuguese medley and the Pink Panther theme.

The Rev James Turk read out an emotional and beautiful eulogy written by Liam’s parents, Martina and Sam.   

“Liam was such a happy, considerate boy – he filled a room with his joyfulness,” he read.

“He was also handsome, clever and cheeky.

“He loved music, singing, dancing and giggling.

“Liam hardly ever gave us trouble.

“When drawing Liam was something of a perfectionist.

“He also loved Lego – but if he was given a task which was his age rating, he would call it boring.

“Liam and his sister Ella played lots of games together.  

“He also loved the Pink Panther, The Greatest Showman and Spiderman.

“Liam loved wearing his Stroudie hippie rainbow trousers.

“He also enjoyed cooking, baking and being on cheese grating duty.

“When Liam was the first person awake he would go downstairs and lay the cereal boxes and the table out for everyone.

“Liam started every meal telling others to ‘enjoy’ it – something we will now do forever.

“He was getting good at football and tennis and was learning to ride a bike.

“Liam loved playing with the bat and ball.

“In Ella, Liam couldn’t have asked for a better sister.

“We love him so much – he is deeply missed by us.

“Life will never be the same again.

“Thank you for the love and happiness you gave us – until we meet again.”

Representatives from Little Foxes Nursery and Foxmoor Primary School, both of which Liam attended, also reminisced on what he was like in the classroom.

“I feel so lucky to have spent a year as his teacher,” said Paula Rimmer, Liam’s reception teacher.

“Liam absolutely loved school. He always had a beaming smile and was a pleasure to teach.

“He really made the most of his time at school and was such a happy little boy, he spread a lot of kindness.

“On his first day he arrived with a grin on his face,” said Emma Huband, pre-school manager at Little Foxes.

“Liam was patient, gentle, polite and a real delight to have here.

“His smile lit up the room.

“He loved playing Lego, Duplo and being in the garden.

“One day at school he had a grazed hand but he carried on as normal, and that was typical of him.

“He was a remarkable young boy.“

To end the service, a video montage showing Liam playing football, celebrating birthdays, riding his bike, spending time with family and playing on swings was shown accompanied by the song From Now On from The Greatest Showman.

I Am A Tiger, Liam’s most recent favourite bedtime story, was then read out before Lavender’s Blue, a lullaby Liam used to fall asleep to as a baby, was played to end the service.

Liam was admitted to Yeovil Hospital after falling ill on August 12.

After four nights he was transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for further investigations after the severity of his condition became clear.

Liam was diagnosed with hepatitis, a liver inflammation, and then with a very rare condition called HLH - a life-threatening condition caused by an overactive, abnormal response of the immune system. 

After two days he began to show some signs of recovery and was discharged on Sunday, August 21. 

After spending two days at home with his family, enjoying a belated birthday celebration, he sadly and unexpectedly died in his sleep.

The parents are self-employed dance teachers and are struggling to come to terms with his devastating and sudden loss.

If anyone wishes to donate to a GoFundMe page set up by Liam's uncle to support the family at this time they can visit - bit.ly/3RrDa1T