Hundreds of mourners let the tears run free as they said goodbye to their special young friend who exuded happiness.

Sports-loving Lewis Roche was a team player, both on and off the pitch, said his headmaster Philip Bell. And there was no substitute.

Lewis, of Cartlodge Avenue, Wickford, died in London's specialist Royal Brompton Hospital of a mystery heart condition after first being taken ill over Christmas with flu-like symptoms. He was just 14.

The oldest of Karen and Brian's six children, Lewis was captain of the football team at Beauchamps School and also played for Wickford Town under-15s.

About 100 fellow pupils, many in school uniform, helped pack the chapel at Basildon and district crematorium as Lewis's coffin was carried in by relatives to Robbie Williams singing Angels.

Another of Lewis's favourites, Everything I do, by Brian Adams, was played at the end of the service.

For one lad, the emotion was just too overwhelming. He collapsed in the aisle and had to be helped to a seat, where he remained with head bowed as Mr Bell recalled Lewis's unique gift of enriching the lives of everyone he met.

Mr Bell heaped praise on the boy he described as the "embodiment of happiness".

"Lewis had a wonderful personality and was a charming character. He was a perfect model of how to enjoy life and never let anything get him down."

The huge crowd who packed the chapel at Basildon and district crematorium, was a reflection of how much he was loved and how much he will be missed.

Outside, the floral tributes - many in the shape of footballs or the shirts of Lewis's team, Manchester United, provided a vast mass of colour under the leaden January drizzle.

Mr Bell said: "He lived life to the full. He was the school's leading goal scorer and nominated player of the year. His team mates and friends relied on him. He was a leader and he never let them down.

"His cheerfulness and determination seemed to be always constant. No matter what, he always put in his best shot - both on and off the field. He was popular with all, and especially with the girls."

Mr Bell also recalled Lewis's courage. Even when he was desperately ill in intensive care, he sent his love to everyone. His final words to his mum and dad were simply to thank them for being there for him.

Mr and Mrs Roche, both 32, have been overwhelmed with the love and comfort of friends, family and complete strangers since their tragic loss. Through Mr Bell they thanked them all, including leading heart specialist Prof Magdi Yacoub, who cared for Lewis.

Rev Eric Freeman, who led the service, told the congregation: "I don't believe that this was what God had planned for Lewis. He intends all his people to have long, beautiful and happy lives, but things go wrong and that is what happened here. But all the promises of eternal life are just as true as if he had lived to be one hundred."

He finished by quoting a song from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: "There is one more angel in heaven, one more star in the sky."

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