The funeral has taken place of a British toddler who drowned in a swimming pool accident in Costa Blanca as family friends continue a fundraising campaign.
Freddie Joseph Briggs died in the pool at his parents' home in the village of Aigues near Benidorm last Wednesday.
The 19-month-old died at the scene, despite efforts by a neighbour and air ambulance crew to save him.
It is understood the family had recently moved from Northern Ireland to Spain
Freddie's funeral was held on Thursday with teddy bear-shaped floral arrangements and photographs decorating the front of St Agnes' Church in Belfast.
The tot was said to be christened before being buried at a nearby cemetery.
Father Thomas McGlynn told mourners at the service the youngster brought happiness to those around him and enjoyed his short life "to the very full."
He said that in Freddie’s short life he “developed a great love and affection of animals, both real and cuddly”.
The parish priest described the "beautiful, little, perfect baby... how he always will remain," reports the Belfast Telegraph.
“In his short life he loved, he laughed and he enjoyed life to the very full,” he added.
“Freddie himself knew he was loved and cherished and blessed to have such adoring and caring parents and a big brother.
“He was the heart of everything they did in life."
Freddie's dad Marc Briggs, thought to be from Mansfield, Notts, and Belfast-born mum Jane Mohan had moved to the Costa Blanca shortly before the tragedy.
Plans were already underway for Freddie to attend a preschool from September where he made an impact on staff who looked forward to welcoming him, it was said.
Almost £10,000 has already been donated by well-wishers to an online fundraising appeal set up by family friend Rob Toomey.
The money will be used to fund a memorial for the toddler who lost his life.
Mr Toomey wrote: “Freddie Joseph Briggs was very sadly taken away in a tragic accident from his parents Briggsy and Jane on May 25.
“Any of you that know Briggsy will agree that he will do anything to help a mate out and now it’s time for us to help him and Jane out.
"Many of you have asked what you can do to help and it would help massively if you could donate to this fundraising memorial so we can all remember Freddie. RIP Freddie”
One well-wisher who donated wrote in a poignant message to his parents: “No words can soften the pain of such a tragic event, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.”
Another added: “So heartbreaking. Love and strength to Jane and Marc.”
Last week’s tragedy happened on a on a private residential estate called El Paraiso, or Paradise in English.
The area is located a 30 minute drive away from Benidorm in the village of Aigues which has just 986 inhabitants, according to a 2020 census.
It was not made clear at the time how the toddler, who had an older brother, ended up in the pool.
A regional emergency response coordination centre said at the time paramedics took over from a neighbour who had performed initial resuscitation techniques when they reached the scene, but nothing could be done to save the little boy.
The result of the post-mortem were not made public.
The following day, Aigues Town Hall announced that it would hold three days of mourning.
A spokesperson said: “The news of the death yesterday of the little boy Freddie Joseph Briggs has saddened and moved locals living in Aigues.
“As a show of our pain and solidarity with the child’s parents and other relatives, we are declaring three days of mourning.”
