Farewell for brave Charlie Harris-Beard
Hundreds were today expected to attend the funeral of brave Kidderminster boy Charlie Harris-Beard who has been hailed as "an inspiration".
The two-year-old's battle against leukaemia touched thousands of people in the town and the wider community.
The youngster, who was diagnosed with myeloid leukaemia in April 2011, died at Birmingham Children's Hospital on Friday with his family at his side.
In November, he brought tears to the eyes of the congregation at the wedding of his parents Joe and Fiona where he was best man.
He drove his remote control model car down the aisle, with the rings on a cushion on the bonnet.The couple had brought their nuptials forward after learning the doctors had no cure for his cancer.
Paying tribute to Charlie, Canon Owain Bell, who was leading the funeral service at St Mary & All Saints Church in Kidderminster this afternoon, said: "He was such a brave little man. I was amazed at his enthusiasm and energy. He was blessed with his parents and family, who did everything they could for him. He was an inspiration to so many people.Today we just want to give thanks for his life and courage," he said.
Among those expected to attend the service were around 120 postal workers who worked alongside the toddler's father. A group of them previously recorded an album to raise money for Cords4Life, a charity set up by Charlie's parents, Joe Beard and Fiona Harris. Postman Carl Wilkes said the youngster had "united a workforce" through the Rubber Band Aid project.
He added: "Charlie will never be forgotten and we will continue to raise funds for Cords4Life in his memory.
"We had a minute's applause for him at work and there were a lot of tears. We consider his dad one of our own and our thoughts are with him and Fiona."
Brendan Sheehy, owner of The Swan pub, in Vicar Street, Kidderminster, which has also raised money for the charity, said: "All the staff and customers are so sad about it. He put on such a fight and we are all devastated."
Meanwhile, more than 20,000 people have signed an online petition to increase awareness of umbilical cord stem cell donation, which was used to treat Charlie in October 2011.
