Disney-themed funeral for little boy born with genetic mutation

The life of a little boy who never stopped smiling has been celebrated at a Disney-themed funeral.

Noah Cox-Lee, aged five, was born with a genetic mutation and spent most of his life in and out of hospital with the rare neurological condition FOXG1 syndrome, his mother Channell Cox-Lee said.

“Even with all that going on there wasn’t a day that he didn’t smile,” said Mrs Cox-Lee, 27, of Basildon, Essex.

He died on May 17.

His coffin was decorated with some of his favourites, including Cars, and funeral directors wore fancy dress – with one as Buzz Lightyear and another in a Moana costume.

Scores of bikers provided an escort to the funeral cortege, after word spread on social media, with members of the Thurrock Bikers group accompanying the hearse to Basildon Crematorium.

Mrs Cox-Lee said she and her husband Terence Cox-Lee, 29, were “so appreciative of everyone getting involved”.

“Honestly, it’s absolutely amazing,” she said.

“We’re so appreciative of everyone getting involved.

“Being our little boy, you want to give him the world.

“Even though it’s turned our world upside down and we’re so heartbroken, the fact is everyone’s got together to celebrate his life and all we’ve ever wanted is for him to be remembered.

“For everyone to come together and celebrate what he was, no matter what he went through he was always smiling through it.

“Sometimes it puts it in perspective.

Mrs Cox-Lee, who is a full-time carer, said there “wasn’t a day where he wasn’t smiling”.

She said that Noah was in a wheelchair and had “such low muscle tone he couldn’t move his body, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t hold his head, he couldn’t sit up”.

“He was fed completely through a peg,” she said.

“He couldn’t take anything orally.

“He suffered with gastro issues, with swallowing issues, his vision was affected as well.

“I think that’s where his love of Disney came from because of the bright colours.

“He was very cheeky as well.

“If he didn’t have his Disney or something on the TV that he wanted he would basically start mumbling and making noises until you did put it on for him.”

She said his favourites were “basically all the musicals”.

“He was such a delight,” said Mrs Cox-Lee.

“He would just smile and it would brighten up your day.”