Hundreds of mourners paid an emotional farewell to a Birmingham teenager who died in a motorbike accident.
Family, friends and neighbours attended the funeral of 19-year-old James Tierney, from Weoley Castle, who died a few streets from his home, in October.
His white coffin was brought on a horse drawn carriage to Our Lady and St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, in Weoley Castle and was carried by young pallbearers wearing T-shirts bearing a picture of James and the message ‘Forever Young, B29’.
More than 500 packed out the church and many waited outside while Father Gary Buckby led the service and paid tribute to his “kindness”, “warm-hearted nature” and “smile.”
He also asked the younger mourners, many of whom where in tears throughout the ceremony, to always remember James in their thoughts and prayers.
Father Buckby said: “James was a very popular person, not just popular with his own generation, his own family, but older people in the area.
“I learned this weekend that James was awarded the Princess Diana Award for helping an individual with mobility problems.
“James was a person with friendship and love to give. There is something about James that touched your life, that you will be thankful for forever.”
James, who was also known as Jim, leaves behind his father also called James, aged 59, mother Carol, 51 two brothers and seven sisters – Lee, aged 37, Scott, 27, Jackie, 32, Lisa, 28, Teresa, 25, Emma, 22, Danielle, 20, Michelle, 17, and Lauren, 16.
His sister Danielle, supported by another family member, said at the end of the service: “James was the most important, special young man in my life and he has taken a big piece of my heart to heaven.
“Not a day goes by and will ever go by without remembering him.”
The funeral cortege then moved on to Lodge Hill Crematorium for a private ceremony.
James died after he was in collision with a car near his home.
More than 3,300 friends have joined a Facebook site in memory of James and dozens of bouquets have been left at a tree near the accident site.
