Folkstone: William Brown funeral held in historic churchyard after King Charles grants permission

Hundreds of people gathered in Folkstone to attend the funeral of William Brown, a seven-year-old boy who was killed outside his home in a suspected hit-and-run. Brown was struck and fatally injured while retrieving his football from the road, and "left dying" in the street.

On Saturday (January 13), mourners assembled at St Mary & St Eanswy Church to pay there respects to Brown, who was killed in December. Following a campaign by his family and friends, King Charles granted permission for him to be buried under a chestnut tree in what was described by Brown's mother as a “beautiful send-off”.

The historic churchyard had been closed for burials since 1857 but a special permission was granted. The pupil of St Eanswythe’s Church of England Primary School wrote in his 2021 school yearbook: “I feel peaceful when I am sat under the chestnut tree.”

During the funeral, William's dad thanked the community for their "moving and uplifting support", with 4,000 people signing a petition for the churchyard to be reopened. Additionally, the family set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised £21,000 so far, to help with funeral costs.

The collision happened on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade, near its junction with Prospect Road and involved two vehicles - a grey Peugeot van and a red Citroen car. The vehicle left the scene in the direction before the arrival of emergency services.

William was pronounced dead at the scene.

On December 7, a 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of the crash and perverting the course of justice.