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Hundreds attend funeral of 14-year-old stab victim

Alex Blake
BBC News, Isle of Man
BBC The order of service for Christopher McBurnie in a church pew.BBC
Christopher Burnie died in Ramsey on 29 May

Hundreds of people have attended a funeral service to celebrate the life of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death.

Christopher McBurnie, of Castletown, died in Ramsey on 29 May.

The Abbey Church in Ballasalla was packed with family and friends as the cortege arrived with a horse and carriage. Some mourners paid their respects from outside as there was not enough room.

Words from Christopher's mother Rebecca Parker were read during the service, in which she said: "He wasn't just my son, he was my best friend, my heart, my whole world."

She said: "Christopher filled our lives with laughter, love, and energy.

"There's a hole in my life now that nothing can ever fill."

Two brown horses with red and white plumes, walking through the church gates, pulling a carriage, with a gentleman in black driving it.
The red and white plumes reflected Christopher's love of Liverpool Football Club

Ms Parker added: "But I know how lucky I was to have had him - to have loved him and to have been loved by him.

"Christopher, you were light, laughter, and love. You are forever 14, and forever in our hearts."

Red and white flowers on top of the coffin at the front of the church.
Red and white flowers reflected Christopher's love of Liverpool Football Club
Church pews filled with people in the Abbey Church, facing the alter with three stain glass windows at the front.
Many of Christopher's teenage peers were in the congregation

Some mourners dressed in red and white to reflect Christopher's love of Liverpool Football Club.

He was described as "football mad" and had played for Colby FC.

The service was followed by a private ceremony for Christopher's close family.

The back of a hearse with "son" in flowers on display. Many people are lined along the roadside stood outside the church.
There were too many to fit inside the church, with many mourners paying their respects outside

The teenager died following an incident in Ramsey.

He was found collapsed in the area shortly after 15:30 BST on 29 May and was pronounced dead at the scene, Isle of Man Constabulary said.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with his murder. He will next appear in court on 2 July.

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