Every minute we had together is treasured; Parents pay a moving tribute to 'unique' boy.

Byline: MARIE LEVY

TOUCHING tributes have been paid to one of the first children ever to attend Zoe's Place Baby Hospice.

Seven-year-old Will Cane died suddenly on August 12 but he never stopped smiling throughout his short lifetime.

The Linthorpe youngster was only three months old when he was diagnosed with pontocerebellar hypoplasia - a rare condition that causes developmental delay and mobility problems.

"It was awful because he was just a little baby," said his mum Sarah Godfrey. "The outlook was not very good in the beginning, they did not know how long he would live. At first they only said about two years."

Sarah, 32, of Linthorpe, said she always knew the journey they faced would be a difficult one, but she treasured every day they had together.

"He was happy and content," she said. "He was always smiling and he loved to be sat on your knee. That was his favourite place everywhere we went he would be sat on someone's knee.

"I will never forget his smile and his laugh.

"He just knew how to get his own way even though he could not speak. He just had this look and you knew what he wanted."

His dad Paul Cane, 40, a Johnson Matthey employee who also lives in Linthorpe, said: "He was unique. He just had a happy little face.

"He was the first baby to go to Zoe's Place. We were waiting for it to open. It was only open through the day then."

Sarah said: "It was lovely. There was a light room and a sensory room and he could sit on someone's knee all the time - it was one to one.

"He did like going because they did painting and there were other kids. A few of the staff had been there from the start and knew him as a tiny baby.

"It was marvellous when it opened on a night and he started to sleep over. It gave you some time to yourself. Looking back we could not have done without it."

Stepdad Justin Godfrey, 34, said the Normanby Road centre and Priory Woods School had also been great with Will. "The teachers were brilliant they did all sorts with them like horse riding and swimming," he said.

Sarah, who works for the Inland Revenue, added: "The school was marvellous I think he really came along going there. He did lots of activities and it was a routine for him and he really, really enjoyed it."

Eileen Middleton, hospice manager, said Will was a gorgeous child who spoke through his big blue eyes.

"He was one of the first babies that came to Zoe's Place when it opened so he is very special. Zoe's Place matured with Will. We saw this baby grow into a big boy who started school. He was more like a nephew who came to see us and sleep over.

"He loved to be part of what was going on. He did exercises with us, we had him standing in his walking frames and he loved to go in the garden. We used to sit him on the swing or sit him on our knee and go down the slide."

Will was the much-loved brother of Tom and Charlie and a treasured grandson and nephew. Sarah would like to thank Zoe's Place, Priory Woods and everyone for all their kind support. Friends and family are invited to post tributes at gazettelive.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

MUCH-LOVED: Will Cane, left and far left, who died aged seven, and above, his family, from left, dad Paul Cane, mum Sarah Godfrey and stepdad Justin Godfrey with a photo of their boy Picture above by DOUG MOODY MEMENTO: A photo collage, left, made by Will's parents which was displayed at the little boy's funeral