The late Morgan Ridler was escorted on his funeral procession by three rugby teams close to his heart.
The brave three-year-old boy, the inspiration behind Morgan's Army Charitable Foundation, died last month just days before his fourth birthday following a cancer relapse.
An appreciation service for his life was held at St Catherine's Church in Gorseinon, Swansea, on Friday, after a procession from his home, with many of those attending wearing yellow and carrying sunflowers in Morgan's memory. See the latest tributes here.
Escorting the procession, which took in a route of Morgan's favourite places, were the Wales Women rugby team — Morgan's aunt Natalia John plays lock for Wales, and he led the team out ahead of their Six Nations clash against England in Cardiff earlier this year — along with players from Gorseinon RFC and Bridgend Ravens.
Morgan's parents Natalie and Matthew said on the Morgan's Army Facebook page beforehand: "Morgan will be led by the family and escorted by the teams that he was a part of: Gorseinon Rugby Club 1sts, Wales Women and Bridgend Ravens. The closest he got to playing rugby by being their mascots."
Morgan's parents and sister Rhiannon led the procession to the church, and were followed by family and friends.
Players from each rugby team wore their kit and represented their clubs and team as they walked alongside and directly behind the VW campervan which Morgan was carried to his funeral in, accompanying him on his final journey. A Wales shirt was also among those draped upon his coffin.
Morgan was was diagnosed with a rare and complex form of cancer in October 2021 at the age of just two. After a relapse, his parents were told his treatment was not working and the focus would move to palliative care and creating special memories together. He died on June 28, nine days before his fourth birthday.
All who wished to celebrate Morgan's life were later invited to the Swansea.com Stadium "as Morgan’s Army takes over the home of his beloved Swansea City FC".
A previous family statement said: "We intend to celebrate Morgan for everything that he was and the impact he has had on the world. He has taught us so much about bravery and the importance of joy. He has shown us the power of love and how we can better be there for each other."
