Mum Ruth Fuller says tearful final goodbye to her three children

RUTH Fuller said an emotional last goodbye to her three children yesterday.

Sam, 12, Rebecca, eight, and Charlotte, seven, were all found dead in a disused quarry along with their father Ceri, 35, in July.

A memorial service to the three children at Sam's former school Lakers, in Five Acres, saw Mrs Fuller release hundreds of balloons in their memory.

As she did, she kissed them a tearful goodbye.

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Her sister Jo Ballard read out a heartfelt tribute penned by Mrs Fuller. In it she said: "Sam, Becca and Charlie, you lived well. You shared so much joy and inspired so much love. I'm so proud of you kids, and I love you something silly.

"My children have remained a source of comfort and inspiration to me throughout this.

"They may have only had a short time but each of them embraced an abundance of life."

It is the first time Mrs Fuller has spoken out since tragedy struck her family, who lived in Milkwall near Coleford.

A police investigation found no-one else was involved in the deaths.

The service was organised by Sam's school pals Estelle Mundy, 13, Tyree Browne, 13, and Jack Cook, 12, who lit candles and spoke about the times they had shared.

The three children wept as they unveiled a headstone with pictures of Sam, Rebecca and Charlotte.

Jack said: "Sam, you were my one and only best friend. We could fill a house with all the good times.

"We all love you and you will always be in our hearts."

Fighting back the tears, Tyree added: "I have so many good memories."

Estelle said: "Sam, you are an amazing friend. No one has sat in your seat since. No-one could ever fill it like you did."

Friends and family filled the Lakers School gardens for the ceremony.

Headteacher Alison Elliot said: "This morning has been about remembering three very special children who shared far too little of life's joys.

"We are an extended family here and we support each other."

Here is the tribute from Ruth Fuller in full:

“I WANT to thank Chloe, Jack and Estelle for pulling all of this together. We’re very moved and very proud of everything you have done. There are so many people I want to thank for their compassion and support but today I want to thank you all for the parts you have played in every smile my children ever had. There have been so many of those. I hope you all know how much they cared for the people in their lives, how glad they were for you all and how glad I am today that they had you.

“Knowing Samuel, Rebecca and Charlotte has given me more joy than I can express and I’m very grateful to share a moment of thankfulness for every wonderful thing they were with everyone that meant so much to them.

“My children have remained a source of comfort and inspiration to me throughout this; their strength of character, faith in themselves, loving natures and wonderful capacity for joy continue to guide me as they always have. I have always been glad of how well they looked upon life with a ready smile, a sense of humour and an easy going disposition. They had a wonderful sense of discovery and such an infection sparkling delight that the simplest of joys came to life in their eyes.

“They may have only had a short time but each of them embraced an abundance of life.

“Sam, Becca and Charlie, you live well. You share so much joy and inspired so much love. I’m so proud of you kids, and I love you something silly.”