Jacob always came springing back, just like Tigger

Hundreds of people filled a Norfolk church yesterday to celebrate the life of a special little boy who had bravely battled with disability throughout his short life.

Eight-year-old Jacob Moorhouse, from East Harling, who had quadriplegic cerebral palsy, microcephaly and epilepsy, died suddenly from kidney and chest complications on December 6.

His story had touched the hearts of countless people, and when his coffin arrived surrounded by flowers in a white carriage drawn by horses, crowds of people lined the path to St Peter and St Paul Church, in East Harling, to pay their respects.

During the service the 250-strong congregation heard the Rev Nigel Kinsella talk about Jacob's amazing eyes and smile, and how everybody who Jacob met fell in love with him.

“He was a very courageous, happy, smiling boy. He was dealt a really hard hand in life but he always had a smile and always came springing back just like his favourite character Tigger,” he said.

The song of Jacob's favourite character was heard throughout the church as his sister Bethany, 11, and mum and dad, Michelle, 41, and Carl, 40, lit candles in his memory. His parents also gave emotional readings and Mr Kinsella read a poem by Bethany.

Jacob's school Chapel Road Special School, in Attleborough, shared a slide show of their favourite pictures of Jacob, and the school invited people to write messages on snowflakes for a special memorial tree.

After the service Jacob's family released eight white doves outside the church before the funeral party continued to West Suffolk Crematorium.

Helped by East Harling firefighters, Jacob's parents had spent years fundraising to build a special extension to accommodate their little boy's needs, and they had only just reached their £45,000 target.

In January 2006 BBC TV presenter Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team joined local firefighters to create a temporary multi-sensory bedroom and wet room for the youngster.