Hundreds gathered in a Moray town last night to say an emotional farewell to a 10-year-old boy who died in his sleep.
Jayden Ravello’s parents Michelle and Kerry had arranged for his friends to release balloons and lanterns in his honour at a modest memorial event in Elgin’s Cooper Park.
But the couple were left stunned when more than 500 people turned out to pay their respects.
Seafield Primary School pupil Jayden was found dead in bed at his family’s home in Elgin’s Reynolds Crescent.
His parents said he “did everything with a smile”.
Last night Jayden’s mum said she had been “overwhelmed” by the show of support – and vowed to make sure her “beautiful boy” would never been forgotten.
She said: “Jayden had the brightest eyes that would fill any room, and a cheeky smile that would make anyone grin.
“We just wanted to light up the sky for him, at this time of year it can be so dull and we wanted it to be as beautiful as our son.
“He did everything with a smile, and it’s a comfort to us to know that he touched so many lives in his 10 years.”
Jayden’s tragic death was marked elsewhere in Elgin when Moray Council illuminated the town’s Pansport Bridge blue and orange – his favourite colours.
