THE family of a boy who died at school have spoken for the first time after revealing they have yet to hold his funeral and say goodbye.

Ryan Herrernan-Surplice's family say they still don't know the exact cause of the 12-year-old's tragic death six weeks ago.

Ryan, 12, died following a medical emergency at Shoebury High School on March 28.

Speaking to the Echo, his family have opened up on their heartache and say they are still waiting for answers on what happened to their beloved Ryan. 

Echo:

The family said: "So many people are reaching out and everyone says anything we can just let us know, but the one thing we want and need nobody can do.

“The hardest part is that we are still waiting to find out what happened that day.

"We can’t have a funeral, it’s really hard.

“He was running about and then suddenly he fell over and that was it.”

Ryan's family say he was "bubbly and funny" and was always doing something and out and about".

They added: “He was always trying to make people smile and he made himself known to every-one due to his presence.

“Teachers say they will never forget him and he was always being silly and funny. He loved animals and always wanted to go over if we saw a dog in the street.

“He couldn’t get enough of animals and he wanted to become a marine biologist.

"We couldn’t keep him out of water or the sea and so the seaside is a huge reminder of him for us.”

Echo:

Almost £17,000 has been raised by friends and supporters online for the family and in memory of Ryan.

Family, friends and supporters joined together and took part in a special ride and balloon release on April 30 to remember him.

They rode from Southchurch Park to Shoebury Park and onto Shoebury High School for the balloon release and more fundraising.

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Ryan's family have thanked everyone who took part and revealed plans to install a bench in his memory in Shoebury Park.

They said: “It seemed like a fitting stretch and seemed appropriate to do a countdown from 12 for the balloon release.

"We played his favourite song and the one that reminds us of him which is Teenagers by My Chemical Romance.

“The support on that day and in general has been absolutely amazing and we raised £997."

Anyone who would like to donate to the JustGiving appeal for Ryan and his family should visit bit.ly/387ofJf