CALLUM DORRALLThe devastated parents of 12-year-old Callum Dorrall from Plympton, who was struck down by cancer, paid tribute to a "brave and loving" boy with a passion for life.
Callum was diagnosed with leukaemia just one week before his death on 1 September, 2009.
Nicola and Andy Dorrall said they would always be proud of their bright and cheeky son who had a "fabulous sense of humour".
The Woodlands School pupil, who was wheelchair bound due to muscular dystrophy, had campaigned to raise awareness of the muscle-wasting disease.
His brother Reece, aged 17, who goes to National Star College in Cheltenham, also has the condition.
Callum's mother said: "Callum was taken from us so quickly it's hard to believe he's not with us.
"He was only 12 years old. We imagined having years and years with him.
"He was so brave and we are very proud of the way he coped. He didn't complain about anything.
"His last words to us were that he loved us."
She added that all their memories of Callum are happy ones.
"Everyone who knew him knows he made them laugh," said Nicola. "He was a cheeky lad with a fabulous sense of humour.
"He was opinionated and stubborn and part of the school council at Woodlands. In the last 12 months he had vigorously campaigned to have the school menu changed.
"He was very loving and just enjoyed everything about life, loved playing and learning about the world and the way it worked. He never put anything off. It was always everything today."
Callum had also helped with Muscular Dystrophy Campaign appeals, recently helping to highlight a Tesco charity Christmas card drive.
He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia on 25 August, just over a week after being taken to a doctor because he felt unwell and had stomach pains.
Doctors told Nicola and Andy their son had two weeks to live at most and he was transferred from Plymouth to Bristol Children's Hospital for specialist care.
He died on 1 September, with his parents at the hospital.
Andy, a volunteer driver for St Luke's Hospice, said: "It still feels surreal.
"He had that zest for life, a typical 12 year old. He never let any obstacles get in his way, and he had to face a few. He never let anything stop him and was so bright.
"We just hope he's in a better place."
Nicola and Andy thanked friends, family and support services, particularly Children's Hospice South West and Scope Inclusion, for their invaluable help in recent weeks.
Callum's funeral took place on Friday at St Mary's Church in Plympton.
Family, friends, staff and pupils also gathered for a memorial service to celebrate his life at Woodlands School, Whitleigh.
http://www.thisisply mouth.co. uk/news/PARENTS-PAY- TRIBUTE- BRAVE-SON-CALLUM/art icle- 1347664-detail/artic le.html [thisisplymouth.co.u k]
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