HUNDREDS of mourners gathered on Monday afternoon for the funeral of Rainham schoolboy Hayden Waller.

The 12-year-old Chelsea fan from Harty Avenue, Wigmore, was laid to rest two weeks after a school ski-trip to the Austrian resort of Mallnitz ended in tragedy when he fell while trying to help a friend.

The service held at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham, included poems written and read by family and classmates, and music taken from the youngster’s iPod. His burial took place privately, away from the media glare.

During the service, Canon Alan Vousden, vicar at St Margaret’s, spoke of his sorrow for Hayden’s parents and younger brother Aaron. He said: “We are all well aware for Hayley, Gary and Aaron a real part of their world has dropped through the floor and life without their adventurous son has changed forever.

“As a father myself I just do not know what they are going through. I didn’t know Hayden but how I wish I did.”

Among the mourners were Paul Morris, head teacher at The Howard School, Rainham, where Hayden had been a pupil. Gillingham FC manager Mark Stimson and club chairman Paul Scally also attended the service.

See Friday's Medway Messenger for full story and pictures.