Streets lined with blue in Rotherham to celebrate life of brave teenager Lennox Griffiths after cancer battle

Lennox Griffiths, from Rotherham, died aged just 13 on March 26 after fighting a rare form of cancer, chondroblast osteosarcoma, for nearly a year.

Tributes have since poured in for the teenager, remembered by loved ones as a “loveable rogue” who “battled so hard” through months of treatment.

Today (April 9) family, friends and members of the public are gathering to celebrate the beloved teenager’s life.

Ahead of the funeral, blue balloons and ribbons have been displayed along the route mourners will take as they accompany Lennox on his final journey.

The funeral has been described as a “celebration of Lennox’s life” and his mum has encouraged people to honour him in a way that reflects his personality.

The procession will set off at 2.20pm from the family home on Gloucester Road, travelling through Rotherham to the crematorium on Ridgeway, where a service will take place.

Mourners will then continue to a venue in Swinton for a gathering to celebrate his life.

Mourners have been asked to wear baby blue clothing or ribbons, with coordinated tributes planned throughout the day.

These tributes will include the release of balloons and blue smoke flares at key points along the route and at the venues.

Close family and friends will carry baby blue roses.

Though flowers are appreciated, his family said donations to PACT and Bluebell Wood are being encouraged, in recognition of the support the charities provided during Lennox’s illness.

Motorbikes, quads and sports cars have also been invited to take part in the procession, travelling at the rear in tribute to Lennox’s love of vehicles.

Lennox’s death follows an incredibly difficult year for his family.

What initially appeared to be a pulled muscle turned out to be cancer, leading to months of chemotherapy.

In September last year, Lennox’s arm was amputated in an effort to stop the disease spreading.

He was later given the all-clear, and even managed to travel to Egypt earlier this year, but in March the cancer returned and was deemed incurable.

A relative said: “All that hard work he put in was ripped away from him in an instant… he was far too precious for this world.”

In his final days, family and friends gathered to share memories and spend time with him before he died surrounded by loved ones.

One tribute read: “If only love could have saved you.”