Funeral held for boy killed in Knowle West
Max Dixon died in January alongside 15-year-old Mason Rist
A funeral has been held today (21 March) for one of two teenage boys fatally stabbed in Knowle West.
Max Dixon who was 16 died after an incident in Illminster Avenue on 27 January, which also killed 15 year old Mason Rist.
Since their deaths five people, including four children, have been charged with their murders.
The funeral
Dozens of Max's family and friends gathered at the Imperial Sports Ground in Brislington for a ceremony celebrating his life.
Many wore blue as a nod to the football club Park Knowle FC where Max played, while blue smoke bombs and a blue confetti cannon were set off as his coffin was driven away at the end.
The ceremony inside featured poems written specially for the day in Max's memory.
A private ceremony for his closest family was then held at South Bristol Crematorium.
Community members pay tribute
Among those in attendance at the Imperial Sports Ground was Mike Alden, chairman of Park Knowle FC.
He said: "It's very emotional.
"We shouldn't be burying 15, 16-year-old kids.
"The emotion in the room says it all really, he's going to be really, really missed."
Mark described Max as "cheeky" but "polite" and a great football player.
"He could be a cheeky kid at times, but always with humour," he said.
"Never rude, always polite, fun loving, until he stepped onto the football pitch.
"Then he took the role of captain seriously, controlled the team and spoke well."
Also in attendance was Victoria Boomer-Clark, head teacher at Oasis Academy John Williams, where both Max and Mason were pupils.
"None of us hope or expect to attend the funeral of a 16-year-old young man who's life has been so tragically cut short," she said.
"There was a real sense of family bond, how close the whole family were...
"All of us got a real sense of what Max was like...fun loving, cheeky character who had really good friends and enjoyed absolutely every single moment that we were blessed to have him with us."
The school has been working hard since to help support its pupils.
"One thing that's blown me away is how our whole school community has really pulled together," she said.
"I think out of this what all of our greatest hope is, that some good comes from this utterly tragic situation."
Mason Rist's funeral is due to take place tomorrow (Friday 22 March), starting at 1pm.
Those charged with their murders are due to appear in court next month.