Parents of Folkestone boy want him buried in graveyard he played in | UK News

The parents of a seven-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run want him to be buried in a graveyard where he played every day after school.

William Brown was killed after he was knocked down by a car outside his home in Folkestone, Kent, on Wednesday evening.

He had jumped over the wall to fetch his ball and police have arrested a 45-year-old man.

The local council has confirmed it will investigate whether William can be buried at St Eanswythe’s Church of England School where he was a pupil and spent many happy memories.

Talking about the importance of the burial place, Laura, 41, told MailOnline: ‘He went there every day after school to pick wild garlic, collecting conkers and pinecones, or just digging with a stick.

‘If he were laid to rest there, he will be amongst the heart of the community that he loved.

‘He would be among his school friends and we his parents could visit him every day and so could his little sister Pearl who still goes to the school.’

Paying tribute to her son, Laura said: ‘William was the sweetest, kindest and funniest boy. He was an amazing friend to his friends. He loved animals, history facts, nature and digging. He loved fossils and dinosaurs. Anything weird and wonderful.

‘He loved curiosities and oddities. He loved taxidermy. He had shark’s teeth and spiders, snake skins. He was a very unusual boy.

‘For Christmas he wanted an octopus, so I got him a taxidermy one. He didn’t get to see it, it’s still wrapped. I’m going to put it in his coffin.

‘He was just always in Will’s world. He was too kind for this world.

‘If there was a question to ask he had to ask it. He needed to know the answers to everything.

‘He loved football. He supported Manchester United like his dad. But his favourite player of all time was Ronaldo. He died in his Ronaldo kit.’

She added: ‘William was baptised, he went to a church school and he attended every religious ceremony at St Eanswythe’s Church, so it is only right that he is buried in the graveyard.’

William senior, 34, who works as a builder, said: ‘I know this is where Will would have wanted to be buried. This would have been his wish.’

The last recorded burial at the ancient church dates back to the Victorian era, around 1860, and the church itself dates back to the 13th century.

The vicar of the church, Father John Walker, has no objection in principle to the burial taking place, according to MailOnline.

A Folkestone & Hythe District Council spokesperson said: ‘We extend our deepest condolences to William’s family and our thoughts are with them at this very sad time.

‘St Eanswythe’s is a closed churchyard and no burials have taken place there for many years. We are not aware that there is any space available. We will, however, look into this for William’s parents and see if their wish could be met.’

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