Jack Lis funeral: Mourners gather in Caerphilly to say goodbye to 'sweetest' boy

  • Video report by ITV Wales journalist Hannah Thomas

The funeral of a much-loved 10-year-old schoolboy has been held in Caerphilly.

Hundreds of people wearing red and carrying red balloons gathered as his mother paid an emotional tribute to him, saying: “See you later dude.”

A service for Jack Lis was held at St Martin’s Church at midday, following a procession through the town.

Dozens of distinctive, colourful cars - from classic to racing and sports cars - made their way through Caerphilly, with mourners lining the streets.

One of the cars in the procession through Caerphilly Credit: PA

The procession included a silver DeLorean DMC-12, known from Back To The Future, plus a red Mustang, which was led around the town and castle.

The hearse stopped outside Jack's school, where his schoolmates released balloons in tribute to their friend.

The balloons and ribbons at the funeral were red, Jack's favourite colour.

Residents of the town lined the pavements leading to the church while the words of

Reverend Mark Greenaway-Robbins, who led the service, were played on speakers outside.

ITV Wales Correspondent Hannah Thomas reports from Caerphilly

Jack’s grandfather, referred to as Bampy Nigel, spoke during the service and said: “I hope he looks down on everything we do with a smile. We want to make him as proud of us as we are of him.”

A tribute from his best friend, which was read out, said: “Jack you went away too soon. I never got to say goodbye but I look forward to the day we meet again.

“Thanks for being an amazing friend, you will always be in my heart.”

In an emotional reading, Jack’s mother said: “I spent the last 10 years watching you grow and we got to start seeing you grow into an amazing man.

Jack Lis was 10-years-old when he died

“My heart aches so bad that we won’t get to see you grow into that incredible man.

“This isn’t goodbye, this is a see you later dude.”

Music tributes included Start Over by Flame, See You Again by Wiz Khalifa, and Family Tree by Ramz.

Jack's family asked for any donations to be made to local charity 2 Wish Upon A Star, which supports those affected by sudden death in young people.

"This is a tribute to Jack - taken too soon. He will always be loved and remembered," a message sharing the funeral details read.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the charity or leave a tribute, can do so here.

A procession of classic cars makes its way through Caerphilly, to St Martin's Church

Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins, Ministry Area Leader, said that even though the circumstances are 'dreadful', he feels privileged to be able to make a small contribution to "I hope, make an awful day a little less dreadful."

He told ITV Wales: "We're all here today in the face of a senseless and unbelievably tragic loss and I'm sure we will come with a great range of emotions into this building and we'll honour that.

"We'll hold everyone and all of their feelings: the anger, the frustration, the sorrow, the devastation and as a church community we offer an opportunity to celebrate Jack, for people to have an opportunity to say goodbye to him, each in their own way and an occasion where people can offer comfort and care for one another."

Many of those who attended the service described it as "absolutely heart-breaking".

Marcel Daillon was keen to help in any way he could and recalled: "When I read about it, it totally shook me, at the time I had three children, I now have four, so it really shook me to the core.

"It's just such a sad tragic event that can happen to any child really. You send them out to play and you don't see them again. It's tragic."

Jack's mother and father previously described him as “the sweetest of boys”, and said he had made them the “proudest parents”.

The heartbroken family said their “lives will never be the same without Jack”.

Adding: “We will forever miss his quirky ways and his stories that he would spend so long telling us.”

Jack Lis, from Pentwyn, Penyrheol, died in a dog attack while playing at a friend’s house after school on Monday November 8.

A fundraiser set up on behalf of Jack’s mother, to help pay for his funeral, has to date raised more than £16,000.

A 28-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the dog attack.

Gwent Police said the dog involved in the attack was 15 months old but the force is still working to identify its breed.