Kaychanel wasn’t expected to make it through her first night.
Instead she astonished everyone and lived an exciting life to the age of 18.
Kaychanel Willson was diagnosed with VACTERYL syndrome at birth and doctors feared she would not survive.
But that brave little girl managed to live long enough reach her teenage years and tick numerous goals off her bucket list including a trip to Disneyland.
People came together to celebrate Kaychanel’s 18 years of life and give her the send-off she deserved.
On 27 October, Kaychanel was carried by stunning white horses to Colney Wood, where she was laid to rest.
Mum Louise said that more than 150 people were in attendance at the funeral.
“It was beautiful," she added. "She was brought in to the sound of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ - the theme of rainbows was very prominent throughout the whole day.
Kaychanel loved animals and believed that when a dog died, they "go to the rainbow bridge".
And Louise also remembered having rainbow lights draped over Kaychanel’s bed when they had their last sleepover together the night before she passed away.
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With that in mind rainbows became a symbol for all that her daughter loved.
Louise said “during the ceremony dogs wearing knitted rainbow bow ties put paw prints on Kaychanel’s coffin as a nod to her love for dogs, this happened while the song ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me' played.
She added: “There was a very special moment where a video of Kaychanel singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ when she was eight years old was played.
“And we clapped 18 times to symbolise the 18 very special years Kaychanel had, she then exited to the beautiful outdoors of Colney Wood.”
“I wish to thank Shayne Stork, the funeral director for helping to provide Kaychanel with the special funeral she deserved.
“Bob Hannam for the amazing celebration of her life and the land lord and lady at the Fiveways pub for helping to provide us with a great wake.
“And James Murphy and Barry Bitcher for the karaoke and disco - it was a party my little girl would have loved.
“And lastly, I want to thank everyone for the support they have given my girl over the last 18 years.”
Teenager's final act of kindness
Kaychanel became well known for wanting to help people and she loved her ability to make people smile or laugh.
After the wake, the family gathered all the left-over cupcakes and donated them to Norwich Homeless Support so Kaychanel could continue to help people and make them smile.
“We wanted to support people in Kay's memory," Louise added.
“She was always making people smile, it’s what she did, she was always worrying about other people, so it felt right to continue that by helping other people.”
A guest who was staying in one of the charities beds and got to taste one of Kaychanel’s cupcakes said: “The cupcakes where beautiful and very tasty - it’s always nice to have a treat.”
A spokesman for the charity said: “When people donate food items to us, it enables us to make sure we can keep people fed who don’t have the luxury of cupboards of food.”
If you would like to donate to Norwich Homeless Support visit their website http://www.norwichhomelesssupport.co.uk/
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