Grieving mum pays tribute to her 'best friend' son

The mother of a 14-year-old who was fatally stabbed last month has paid tribute to her "best boy" and "best friend".

Christopher McBurnie, of Bromet Road in Castletown, died in Ramsey on 29 May.

Rebecca Parker described her son as a "lovable comedian" who loved animals and was passionate about Liverpool Football Club.

"He wasn't just my son," she said. "He was my best friend, he was my world, he was my life."

A 14-year-old boy charged with Christopher's murder will next appear in court on 2 July.

Ms Parker said Christopher and his four siblings meant everything to her.

She said his death had "absolutely shattered" her, adding "it's more than heartbreak - it's indescribable".

Ms Parker said her son was "football mad" and had played for Colby Football Club on the island for several years, where he had been "absolutely over the moon" to be awarded the under-12 player of the year.

She said she shared a special bond with "kind and empathetic" Christopher.

"Every night when he came home we'd have this routine," she said. "He'd come up to my bedroom and sit on my bed and we'd just have a natter.

"We were very open with each other. Because he had quite an older head on his shoulders as well, you could have a conversation with him about things."

Ms Parker said she had been "getting flooded with photos and videos" from Christopher's friends since his death, which showed he was "just very well-loved".

"His friends have sent me videos and pictures of him being the clown really, doing jokes and all that, and that was him in a bubble. Just the best."

She said Christopher's funeral on Friday would be "his big day" and a chance to "celebrate" him.

"I don't like to call it a funeral so I've just been calling it Christopher's day," she explained.

Ms Parker said the procession would start from the family's home in Castletown "because he didn't make it home, so I've got to bring him home".

Reflecting on life without her eldest son, she said: "Everywhere I go I can see his smile. It's like I can see him but I can't see him, every memory's coming back.

"All I keep thinking about is the night-time, because I think that was our special time, just me and him having a little natter before bed. That was our time."

The service will begin at TheAbbey Church in Ballasalla at 10:30 BST.

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