THE mother of a six-year-old boy has spoken of her heartbreak at his death following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Hundreds of people yesterday attended the funeral of Blaise Etheridge-Clarke, filling St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Burdyke Avenue, Clifton.

Blaise was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. He passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Boxing Day after enjoying Christmas with his family.

Speaking at the funeral, his mum Theresa paid emotional tribute to her son, describing him as the “kindest little boy” who “always chose the most simple of things and could not want more than our love.”

She said: “My heart will forever be broken and a space in my home will never be filled.

“If Blaise has taught me something in this life it’s please love your family and friends... make the most of every minute as time is so precious and you will never get it back.

“You have your life, make it a good one.”

Blaise, who attended St Wilfrid’s Roman Catholic Primary School, underwent repeated surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for tumours on his brain and spine over three years until doctors said in the early autumn there was nothing more they could do to help him.

Theresa said she had been pregnant with her twins when Blaise was diagnosed with cancer and two days later he underwent his first brain surgery.

She said: “In the last week, although there were a few issues, we just thought he had a cold.

“On Christmas Day he had an amazing day. I put the kids to bed as normal and said goodnight to him... the next morning he had slipped away with no warning.

“It was typical of Blaise to do it all on his own, with no fuss.”

She said she and her husband, Tony, and their other children Christian, Zach and Jerome, had made sure Blaise enjoyed life, visiting Disneyland and Legoland as well as going on numerous day trips helped by a fundraising effort in the city.

Theresa said: “If it was not for my family and friends I could not have got through and I want to thank everyone for being there and being with me.”

Blaise was buried at Fulford Cemetery, after which a reception was held in the church hall.