Hundreds pay tribute to teenager Aaron

7:10pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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HUNDREDS of mourners packed a Beaconsfield church to honour Aaron Chesney with a tearful yet colourful service of remembrance.

Well wishers of all ages flocked to Saint Mary and All Saints Church this afternoon to take part in a vivid celebration of the teenager's life.

The 17-year-old from Farnham Common died last Wednesday during a rugby training session.

Friends bid farewll with a reading, saying: "You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

"Or you can do what he'd want: smile open your eyes, love and go on."

The choir from The Beaconsfield School, where Aaron was a student, gave a moving performance of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", and the entire congregation joined in for "Lord of all Hopefulness" and "Kum Ba Yah".

Teachers from the school said goodbye to a much loved student.

Paul Maddock, Aaron's teacher for physical education, praised the young athlete's determination: "Everything he did in sport he did at 100 miles an hour and 100 per cent."

He said that Aaron was an "outstanding pupil", who "had huge respect from his peers, and younger pupils looked up to him."

Louise Jackson, leader of the sixth form, said that he was, "always up for a laugh", and that the cheeky, charismatic student was "the reason us teachers teach."

Reverend John Wynburne ended the service by reminding the crowd that it was Aaron's joy in life that inspired so many people to love him: "I'm sure that Aaron who enjoyed life so much would want us to wipe away tears and do the same."