Mourners gather for teen's funeral (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Mourners gather for teen's funeral

9:57am Friday 11th January 2008 in Swindon By Sarah Hilley

MOURNERS packed into St Mary's Church to celebrate the life of popular teenager Chris Garrod, pictured right.

As Chris's coffin stood near the nativity crib inside the Tovey Road church, the congregation was united in grief for the 17-year-old who was knocked down at a pedestrian crossing on Christmas Day.

Chris's red Nike baseball cap sat at the edge of the coffin, which was covered in scarlet flowers at yesterday's funeral.

Backs shook with sobbing in the pews and red eyes welled up with the enormity of loss, as Chris's death sunk in.

Father Liam Slattery read out a tribute on behalf of Chris's family - mum Becky, dad Wayne, grandmum Cathy, and little brothers Devan, 11, Ellis, four, and baby Alfie.

"Chris was dearly loved, as shown by all you here today," said the statement.

"He would have stood proudly with his beautiful smile and puffed out his chest today if he saw how loved he was.

"Everywhere Chris went he made friends even on holiday.

"We too have made many friends through Chris due to his likeability.

"He once refused £1 after helping a pensioner carry shopping off the bus."

His family remembered him cheating at Monopoly and the endless time he made for his little brothers.

"He would take all of Devan's karate kicks and punches all in the name of practice," said the family tribute.

Father Liam Slattery said that many family and friends were probably questioning why the former St Joseph's Catholic College student died so young. He said: "No words today can adequately give expression to the sense of loss, grief and pain experienced by all of you.

"Chris's death left everyone feeling so empty, so confused and so empty. "

He reassured them they would have strength to cope somehow.

"There is also regret," said Father Slattery.

"You may be asking - what if what if maybe we could have done something.

Why did Chris have to be on that road?

"The age of 17 is too young too die."

Chris's friends chose Oasis's Stop Crying Your Heart Out as the last song - its words of acceptance filled the church: "Get up... Come on... why you scared, You'll never change what's been and gone"

Chris's loved ones followed the coffin out of the church, and 12-year-old brother Ellis's face crumpled with pain as he walked past.

The congregation faced a bleak day and pouring rain when they emerged for Chris's burial at Whitworth Road cemetery.