Hundreds gather to pay respects to ten-year-old Jack Lis

Hundreds of people have lined the streets of Penyrheol and Caerphilly to pay respects to ten-year-old Jack Lis, whose funeral was held today.

Jack died on November 8 following a dog attack at a friend’s house on Pentwyn, Penyrheol.

Reflecting the Cwm Ifor Primary School pupil’s love of cars, a procession of classic motors travelled from the family home to the service at St Martin’s Church in Caerphilly town.

Included in the funeral procession was a DeLorean – one of Jack’s favourites.

The procession paused at the gates of Cwm Ifor for pupils to release 100 red balloons – Jack’s favourite colour. Mourners lined the streets were also dressed in red while red ribbons adorned houses, lamp posts and cars.

During the service, Reverend Mark Greenaway-Robbins told mourners to “take a moment to think of how we remember Jack” and added: “Hold onto that particular memory of him that you treasure him for and thank him for”.

Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David said: “I’m a parent myself and I can’t begin to imagine the pain they are going through.

“That was clear in church today but what was also clear is the support the community is offering.”

During the funeral, donations were made to the 2Wish charity, which supports families after the death of a child or young adult.

Donations to 2Wish and tributes to Jack can be made online.

A fundraiser was set up on behalf of Jack’s family to cover the funeral costs and has so far raised just short of £16,500.

Speaking at the funeral, Jack’s mother, Emma, said: “My beautiful baby boy. I don’t know where to begin.

“I’ve spent the last ten years watching you grow and we started to see you grow into the most amazing man.

“My heart aches so badly I won’t get the chance to see you grow. I’ll forever miss your stories about the games on the PlayStation, the cars you built on the games.

“But most of all I’ll miss your voice my boy and I’d give anything to hear you again. This isn’t a goodbye, its a see you later dude.”

On November 10, Gwent Police confirmed a 28-year-old woman had been arrested following the attack, and has been released on conditional bail.

A 34-year-old man from the Mountain Ash area and a 19-year-old man from the Caerphilly area voluntarily spoke to police in relation to the offence, but were later released.