May 16, 2014 4.13 pm This story is over 132 months old

Final farewells for Ethan Maull

Cathedral service for Ethan: Around 700 people attended a public funeral service in memory of the Lincoln boy who raised more than £60,000 for cancer care.

Around 720 people attended a public funeral service in memory of Lincoln boy Ethan Maull, 10, who raised more than £100,000 for patients and families of ward E39 at Nottingham Children’s Hospital.

Ethan Maull was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at the age of eight.

With the help of friends and family he decided to do what he could to raise money for sufferers who have to spend long periods of time away from home.

The Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours to Cancer’ Foundation set about raising money with the help of lots of local donations. The ultimate goal was to fund a home for patients and families of the ward – ‘Ethan’s House’.

Ethan sadly lost his battle with cancer on May 6, 2014.

Ethan Maull

Ethan Maull

Since, Ethan’s charity Facebook page has surpassed 8,000 ‘likes’ and the charity has received countless donations via their JustGiving page.

A public tribute was also made at Lincoln Cathedral in which a thousand balloons were released by friends, family and supporters of the charity.

Ethan’s family invited members of the public to join them for a public funeral service at Lincoln Cathedral on May 16.

Those attending the service donned bright and colourful clothing and, as promised, wore Ethan’s favourite combination of odd socks.

The members of the congregation were given a programme of tributes from friends and family as well as a photo book mapping Ethan’s inspirational journey.

After a pastoral introduction, the congregation heard a heartfelt tribute by Mark Marsland, who also recounted Ethan’s story in the words of his parents Darren and Sam.

The tribute recalled Ethan’s love of sport, his cheeky tricks and many nicknames. Of which, ‘The Lion King’ was deemed most fitting.

Mark said: “Ethan always wanted to help other people, even though he was so poorly and the laughter from his section of the ward was always the loudest.

“Darren and Sam have so many people to thank both for their help in and out of hospital but also for the true friendship they were shown.

“Let us let his name be synonymous of hard work and sacrifice.”