FAMILY and friends of tragic Kyle Rees gathered yesterday to say their final farewell to the 16-year-old Portchester schoolboy.

Kyle’s devastated parents Tanya Cooper and John Rees were supported by relatives as they arrived at the service of thanksgiving.

Many of Kyle’s school friends from Portchester and Avonbourne schools attended the service, some carrying single red roses or bouquets as a tribute to their lost friend. They shared embraces before making their way into St Andrew’s Church in Bennett Road, Bournemouth, for the 45-minute service.

Kyle, who lived with his family in Nortoft Road, died on February 28 after he was hit on the side of the head by an indoor practice cricket ball during school the previous day in what was simply a tragic accident.

The words ‘Son’ and ‘Kyle’ were among the many family floral tributes placed alongside Kyle’s coffin.

Kyle’s father John was among the pallbearers who carried Kyle into the church as Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns ’N’ Roses was played.

The service was conducted by Reverend Graham Roberts who read a tribute from Kyle’s mum Tanya to the congregation.

Part of it was a personal message to Kyle’s friend who threw the ball.

It read: “Our hearts go out to Kyle’s friend and his family.

“He needs to know that not for one second would Kyle or any of his family want him to feel responsible for this tragic accident. We are thinking of you always, with love.”

The hymns played during the service were All Things Bright and Beautiful and Amazing Grace. These were accompanied by Psalm 23, a reading from John 14: 1-6 and a poem.

Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was played as Kyle’s coffin was carried out of the church.

After the service, Kyle’s family took him on his final journey to Bournemouth Crematorium for a private committal.

All those who attended the service were invited to join Kyle’s family afterwards for refreshments and to share their memories at the church hall. The family requested donations in memory of Kyle to be made to The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Speaking before the service, Reverend Roberts said: “Clearly it is going to be a very difficult day.

“There has been strong support from the local community and the school community and particularly from the language centre where Kyle’s mum has been working.

“It has been heartening to see Kyle’s mum’s attitude to the lad that threw the ball.”

“His mum described him as one of the lads and he was very caring.”

Portchester School granted pupils a leave of absence to attend the thanksgiving service.

School to hold memorial service

PORTCHESTER School will hold a memorial service on Monday to mark Kyle’s death.

The service for students and staff from both Portchester and Avonbourne schools and will take place in the sports hall between 1.20pm and 2.20pm.

The school has requested that no flowers be taken to the service and have instead set up a Kyle Rees Memorial Fund which will buy a memorial bench and tree and a cup dedicated to inter-house football competitions.

A contribution will also be made to the trauma unit at Southampton Hospital.

Executive headteacher Debbie Godfrey-Phaure said: “We wish to take this opportunity to thank all the many well-wishers who have taken the time to show their condolences and to pass on their respects to Kyle’s family and to the school as a whole.

“It has been greatly appreciated,” she said.

“We hope this day will be a time to celebrate the life of Kyle Rees and to enable healing and reflection for our students in the Portchester and Avonbourne community.”