Hunrdreds bid farewell to brave Ieuan (From South Wales Argus)

Hunrdreds bid farewell to brave Ieuan

By Andy Rutherford »

NEARLY 400 people paid their respects at a Requiem Mass for Newport youngster Ieuan Thomas-Yendle, described by brother Louis as "a boy with the heart of a lion."

REMEMBRANCE: Floral tribute to Ieuan

St David's RC Church in Maesglas was packed - with more than 100 people listening outside to proceedings - as Ieuan's life was celebrated with hymns, prayers, laughter and tears.

Thirteen-year-old Ieuan, of Milman Street, Pill, died on July 3 at Ty Hafan children's hospice.

Grieving parents Wayne and Rosemary Yendle hope the results of a post mortem will reveal the cause of the terrifying illness that killed Ieuan, having robbed him over the course of five years of mobility, speech and sight and finally his life.

But yesterday family, friends, relatives and pals from St Joseph's comprehensive school were united in remembering a boy who loved singing, dancing, and Disney.

FINAL JOURNEY: The hearse carrying Ieuan leaving St David's Church

In his homily Father Kevin Paine referred to Ieuan's "beautiful angel smile" and to how his room at Ty Hafan, where he spent the final two months of his life, was full of the love he inspired.

As well as his mother and father, Ieuan leaves brothers, Louis, aged 22, and 21-year-old Ben.

Louis Yendle said it was fitting his youngest brother was a big fan of Disney film The Lion King, because "he had the heart of a lion" and always had a smile for people despite his health problems.

leuan suffered from hypogammaglobulinemia, a rare immune deficiency which meant his body could not produce the antibodies necessary to fight infections.

This was caused by a deficiency in a protein called CD40 Ligand, but regular infusions of the required protein meant Ieuan could live a normal life, until five years ago when he began to experience problems with his movement.

At the end of today's service, before Ieuan's coffin was borne away to St Woolos Cemetery by horse-drawn carriage, members of Group 97 of HCPT, The Pilgrimage Trust, which arranges pilgrimages to Lourdes for disabled children, led mourners in a open air rendition of Rise And Shine, one of his favourite hymns.