A little boy who drowned during the recent heatwaves ‘could make people smile without even trying’. That is how Mackenzie Swift’s family remember the youngster, who they say will be ‘forever 11’ to them.Father Edward Morrison told mourners at the Mexborough church: “The death of an 11-year-old boy is something no parent should ever have to endure. There’s a profound sense among us and among this whole community that something has happened which simply should not have happened. Words feel inadequate.”Kenzie died after cycling to the River Don with a pal on a boiling hot day on May 30. He dropped his bike in a little area called ‘Pebble Beach,’ took his shoes and top off and went into the water to cool down, despite not being able to swim.‌It took 48 hours to find him and he was discovered on June 2, just yards away from where he was last seen by his friend. His dad, family and close friends searched desperately for hours alongside police divers.The Mirror was given permission to attend his funeral this week by his brave mum and dad, who are supporting our ‘Save Lives for Sam’ campaign, because they are desperate to stop another child drowning. Already at least 26 people have died in heatwaves in May and June and it is feared this death toll will increase as the summer holidays begin.‌After the tragedy his grief-stricken dad, Michael, 46, and mum Suzie Gough, 48, pleaded with other children: “Please keep out of open water. We are desperate to stop other families having to go through heartbreak like this.”This week they had to cope with even more heartbreak, escorting their son, known as Kenzie, on his final journey. They were followed by a procession of supercars, a Lamborghini, a convoy of motorbikes and an ice cream van.‌Classmates, dressed in his favourite colour of yellow, wept as the youngster’s coffin arrived outside St John the Baptist Church in Mexborough, South Yorkshire. The words ‘Forever 11’ had been printed on the side of his coffin in giant letters.His coffin was carried by his dad, also wearing a yellow T-shirt with Forever 11 printed on the back. Inside his coffin his family had left him with his cuddly teddy of Yoda, a Liverpool scarf and a school leavers jumper, signed by all his classmates.‌Father Morrison told the packed church how Kenzie was a loyal Liverpool supporter and a ‘popular boy’ who was ‘loving, cheeky, mischievous, affectionate’ and a ‘quiet soul’. He said: “He could charm people into almost anything. He became well known along his street, especially among the older ladies who took such a shine to him.“He loved all the things you would expect an 11-year-old to love; Lamborghinis, Nerf guns, Lego, X-Box and who can forget Baby Yoda… He was loved by so many, precisely because he was Mackenzie…as his dad said…’he was unique, he knew how to get his own way, he could be cheeky and he made people laugh and they loved him all the more for it…Mackenzie’s life was surrounded by love.”‌He also read out a tribute from his sister Georgia, which said: “My little brother Mackenzie was one of the most important people in my life, and we had a bond that could never be broken. I feel incredibly lucky to have had him as my brother“Mackenzie was only 11 years old, but he brought so much love and happiness to everyone around him who knew and loved him. He could make people smile without even trying, and he will always be remembered for the happiness he brought into our lives.”‌Mourners, many listening to speakers outside the church, cried as a special song was played. It said: “Mackenzie you’ll be forever 11, racing fast cars on roads of heaven. Baby Yoda in your hand, fidgets by your side, X-Box glowing…Our boy, our heart, forever by our side.”Bev Chapman, who attended the funeral, told us: "With Mackenzie's parents, Suzie and Michael, we have been campaigning about water safety. It should never have happened but it has and here we are today, it's very sad."There have been quite a few tragedies in the area, the water just attracts the kids - that's why we are trying hard to try and prevent his happening again. We don't want to see another family torn apart."A final inquest into Mackenzie's death is due to take place on February 16th next year.