A young Scout leader was today laid to rest proudly wearing the uniform he loved since he was six years old.
The funeral of Stephen Young, from Borough Green, who was killed in a fall in the Scottish Highlands, was held at Rochester Cathedral at 1.15pm.
Hundreds of mourning relatives and friends were expected to attend to pay their final farewells and celebrate the youngster’s life.
The 18-year-old’s mother, Judy Young, had asked guests to wear bright colours on the day to represent her son’s “amazing” personality.
Scouts were also welcome to wear their uniforms.
The teenager was taking part in an annual Scout trip to the Cairngorms when he stepped on to a shelf of snow and plummeted into the void below on February 15.
He was airlifted to a hospital in Fort William from the 3,701ft high cliff circuit on Creag Meagaidh, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
In a statement, Ms Young, who was also on the trip with her brother Andrew, 46, said: "Stephen was a unique young man who has clearly touched the lives of so many people. He meant the world to his whole family.”
The former Oakwood Park Grammar School student had been a Scout since his was six years old.
Since his death, more than 2,830 members have joined a dedicated group on Facebook where hundreds of messages, photos and memories have been posted.
Many of the members were expected to attend today's service which was conducted by the Rev Canon Brenda Hurd.
Canon Hurd said: “Stephen was an experienced Scout Leader who was taken from his family in tragic circumstances.
“He died doing something he loved and he was a wonderful role model to young people today.”
The order of service included hymns Jerusalem, How Great Thou Art, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, the theme from the film Top Gun and a camp fire song.
Readings were taken from The Scout Law, The Promise, Philippians 3: 10-17 and a poem.
Following the service, guests were invited to join the family at Medway Crematorium – where mourners were asked to write a last message to their beloved friend and attach them to 1,000 balloons which were set free near the moat.
The family requested no flowers, but donations can be made in Stephen’s name to Demelza House, in Sittingbourne.
Demelza House was personally close to the youngster’s heart – who camped in his back garden for a whole year in 2007 to raise more than £2,000 for the children’s charity.
POSTED: 09/03/2010 15:00:00
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