Home UK Alfie Evans funeral attracts thousands of mourners in Liverpool

Alfie Evans funeral attracts thousands of mourners in Liverpool

May 14, 2018

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Thousands of mourners have gathered in Liverpool for Alfie Evans private funeral today.

The 23-month-old boy, who suffered from a degenerative brain disease, died on April 28 at Alder Hey Childrens hospital, five days after doctors switched off his life support.

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His case drew international attention following a long High Court legal battle after his parents Thomas and Kate Evans tried to take him to Italy for medical treatment.

Well-wishers lined up outside of Evertons Goodison Park ground in Walton Lane from the junction of Spellow Lane towards Queens Drive as the funeral procession passed around 11.30am this afternoon.

Supporters released balloons in his memory as they sang Youll Never Walk Alone.

Alfie Evans. Alfie Evans parents have been giving mouth to mouth to keep him alive Kate James???????????Alfies Army Official???????? 5 hrs ?? How gorgeous is this boy tho ???????????????? — Alfie passed away last month following a long battle with brain disease (Picture: Facebook/ Alfies Army Official)

A hearse carrying the coffin of British toddler Alfie Evans drives past Everton's Goodison park stadium in Liverpool as his family lay him to rest on May 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLISPAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images — A hearse carrying the coffin of British toddler Alfie Evans drove past Evertons Goodison park stadium in Liverpool as his family lay him to rest today (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

PIC BY FORTITUDE PRESS (PICTURED: THE FATHER OF ALFIE EVANS, TOM EVANS SITS IN THE HEARSE OUTSIDE GOODISON PARK IN EVERTON, LIVERPOOL TO GREET THE FUNERAL CORTEGE OF THE TRAGIC TODDLER ALFIE EVANS WHO DIED AFTER A LONG DRAWN OUT LEGAL BATTLE WITH MEDICAL STAFF AT ALDER HEY CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN LIVERPOOL. PIC DATE: 14.05.18) — His father Thomas Evans could be spotted in the front seat of the car (Picture: Fortitude Press)

Alfies father is a huge supporter of the Premier League club and had spoken of his hopes to take his son to watch the Blues in action.

Last week, Merseyside Police said they would send a small number of officers to the funeral to offer support for those attending but stressed it would not be open to the public or media.

In a post on the Alfies Army Facebook page, Alfies uncle Daniel Evans said: The funeral will be private due to familys wishes, we ask that no one turns up unless you have been personally invited by Thomas and Kate as theres a limited number of people who are allowed to attend, invitations are currently being sorted out for family and close friends.

He added: Thank you all for your support.

The funeral cortege of toddler Alfie Evans passes close to Goodison Park, the home stadium of soccer club Everton, in Liverpool, Britain May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Phil Noble — Mourners gave flowers and released balloons as the procession passed them this afternoon (Picture: Reuters)

MERCURY PRESS. 14.05.18. Liverpool, UK. (Pictured: Supporters of Alfie Evans line the streets outside Goodison Park today [MON], for the funeral procession of the deceased toddler.) — Many showed their support outside Evertons Goodison Park (Picture: James Speakman/Mercury Press)

A vigil was held last Wednesday on what wouldve been the toddlers second birthday.

Doctors at Alder Hey stopped providing life-support treatment to Alfie last month after his parents lost two rounds of fights in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.

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During the protracted legal battle, Alder Hey Childrens Hospital said staff had experienced unprecedented personal abuse as it found itself at the centre of a social media storm as a result of the case.

Protesters attempted to storm the hospital on one occasion and blocked the road outside during demonstrations against the withdrawal of his life-support treatment.

Mourners finding every available space on Walton Lane, with some also gathered outside the Everton club shop. Alfies dad Tom said he had dreamed of one day being able to take his son to Goodison pic.twitter.com/kIUmPkRBwb

— Lorna Hughes (@lorna_hughes) May 14, 2018

Hundreds of people have lined the road outside Goodison Park to say goodbye to toddler Alfie Evans. This is where the public and press have been asked to gather as the funeral cortège passes. Its due here soon. pic.twitter.com/QLYIVKWH0w

— Rob Smith (@robsmithitv) May 14, 2018

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