Thousands gather for funeral of gun victim Rhys

Thousands of people today gathered for the funeral of 11-year-old gun victim Rhys Jones.

Rhys was shot as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool, on August 22.

Hundreds of members of the public were attending the service at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral wearing bright colours and football shirts following a request by Rhys’ parents Melanie, 41, and Stephen, 44, that the service should be a celebration of the youngster’s life.

Among those attending were senior players and officials from Rhys’ beloved Everton Football Club as well as officials and players from Liverpool FC.

The first to attend today were Rhys’ team-mates from the Fir Tree Football Club.

Team manager Stephen Geoghegan, whose son Sean was with Rhys when he was shot, said: “This is the first time the boys have all been together since Rhys was murdered. The funeral is a sad occasion for them, I think until now they have been distracted by all the attention which Rhys’ murder has brought.

“But inside the cathedral, in the silence and thinking about Rhys, it is very hard for them."