The parents of tragic William Brown are appealing directly to the King to help in their fight to bury their son in the “perfect” place.
Seven-year-old William was killed on December 6 after being struck by a van along Sandgate Esplanade near Folkestone having gone to fetch his football.
Following his death, his parents revealed their wishes for William to be laid to rest at the Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, in Folkestone, near to his school and where he played regularly.
An order from The Privy Council from 1855 means the churchyard was closed to burials 168 years ago and that order remains in place today.
William’s parents, Laura and William Sr, hope King Charles and the Privy Council will make an amendment to the law so that he can be buried there.
A petition has already been set up – attracting nearly 4,000 signatures – , and they have the backing of the Archbishop of Canterbury and MP Damian Collins.
On Christmas Day, Laura also travelled four hours to Sandringham – where the Royal family attend a Christmas Day service – with a personal letter to the King to ask for his help.
The letter said: “Dear Your Majesty, My name is Laura Brown, the mother of William Brown who tragically died in a hit and run on December 6.
“We have been channelling all efforts into burying my son in the Church of St Eanswythe in Folkestone Kent, a place he attended and loved which is close to a graveyard.
“We have been granted a slither of hope that this is now possible, but all resides on the decision of the Privy Council and yourself.
“We have made the application to yourself and the Privy Council. We have been told it will take two Privy Council meetings consecutively and the Privy Council will not be meeting until February. That means I cannot bury my son (providing the application is accepted) until March 2024.
“I cannot bear the thought of my boy alone and cold in the morgue for that length of time. It is agony he has had to spend Christmas Day alone.
“I am desperately appealing to you as a mother to a father to help me bury my boy so he is no longer alone.”
The letter was handed to security staff.
Speaking to KentOnline, the heartbroken mum said: “Christmas has been horrendous as I dropped Williams presents to the morgue which was something that I never thought I would do.
“We as a family are desperate to have some closure, finally put our son to rest and say goodbye.
“I went up there as I needed to do something as its unsettling knowing Will has not been buried.”
William’s parents say there is one space remaining in the burial ground, underneath a chestnut tree where William used to play.
William Sr, who previously paid tribute to his “kind and pure soul” son, says that they are appealing for the next Privy Council meeting to be brought forward.
William Sr says he and Laura need a final push to finally lay their son to rest.
“William loved playing in the school and around the church and the space is the perfect space”, William added.
“We know this is not a run-of-the-mill thing and that there is concern this could set a precedent however there is only one space left so that is mitigated.
“It’s a miracle really that there is one space left and that it is where William used to love to play. It’s meant to be.
“William stood for peace and unity even though he was only seven it formed into his character.”
Ms Brown added: “It’s a miarcle that there is a space there for Will to be buried and we have the support from the council and the church itself.”
The family plans to hold a public funeral to celebrate the life of William as well as to bring the community together.
William Sr says that this is also part of the reason the meeting needs to be moved forward so that they can begin the planning process.
He added: “We are so grateful for the whole community, the press, Damian Collins, Bishop Rose, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and everyone else who have been all so supportive.”
A fundraising page, launched by Ms Brown to “give him the send-off he truly deserves” has raised over £20,000.
A 49-year-old man was arrested in Dymchurch almost 24 hours after William was knocked down.
He was questioned by detectives on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and perverting the course of justice.
He has now been released on bail until March 6.
Police say the fatal collision near the junction with Prospect Road involved two vehicles – a grey Peugeot van and a red Citroen car.
The van left the scene in the direction of Hythe, before the arrival of emergency services.
Medics tried desperately to resuscitate William for 40 minutes but were unable to save his life and he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
