FAMILY and friends gathered today at the funeral of three-year-old Ivie Boulton, who passed away at the beginning of March after becoming seriously unwell.

The Yate toddler was brought to Westerleigh Crematorium at 9.45am in a horse drawn carriage adorned with pale pink flowers.

A wreath spelling the word “sister” was carefully placed on top of a glass carriage pulled by two white horses.

It was a fitting tribute for the girl described as a “princess warrior” by her parents, Scarlett and Gavin, who spoke of their daughter at the funeral.

Addressing his little girl, Gavin said: “Ivie, we miss your cheeky smile and laugh.

“We call you our princess warrior and that’s who you are.

“If I could see you one last time that still wouldn’t be enough for me, I want you here all the time.

“We love and miss you, my little princess.”

Ivie died peacefully in the arms of her mum and dad on Wednesday, March 1, after contracting a rare form of flu in January and becoming seriously unwell.

She had been awaiting a heart transplant in Newcastle Hospital but passed away following an unrepairable bleed on her lungs.

Over one hundred people attended her funeral service, which was led by Rev Ian Wallace.

He told the mourners: “At the centre of this horrible day is a beautiful miracle: Ivie and the joy she brought to the lives of those around her.

“She adored nature and had a special love for the rabbit, the cat and Pedro the dog.

“Pink was her favourite colour, she was very keen on ballet and she loved making herself up, even if the only materials available were butter or sudocrem.”

Family and friends were asked to think of their fond memories of Ivie, whilst listening to the ‘Circle of Life’, a song from the Lion King film.  

Rev Wallace told the mourners that she has given her family a “treasure of precious memories.”

These include her excitement at going caravanning and crabbing at Sandy Bay in Devon and her fascination with the word “bubble-gum”.

Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to Ivie at two fundraising events that were held over the weekend.

Light-up balloons were released from Yate Common at 8pm on Saturday, March 18 by a crowd of people who wished to remember the courageous toddler.

Organiser Joe Trussell said: “I used to work with Ivie’s dad Gavin so wanted to do something to recognise her.

“A big thank you to the scouts of Abbotswood for donating 2 helium party canisters and 35 balloons.”

The event raised over £140 for Ivie’s family through the sale of raffle tickets and balloons.

A “onesie walk” helped to raise an additional £600 and was organised by Yate resident Kelly O’Driscoll.

Around 30 people dressed in onesies took part in the sponsored 10-mile trek, which started just off Station Road in Yate.

People wishing to make donations for Ivie are asked to give within their means to Bristol Children’s Hospital and The Sick Children’s Trust.