A cheeky chappy with an infectious smile – that is how Terry Kiddie’s mother will remember her little boy who died at the age of 10.

Terry was born with cerebral palsy and brain damage. His story touched the hearts of Messenger readers when a fundraising campaign was launched to give him his own bedroom at the family home in Rainham.

He was taken to King’s College Hospital in London on the morning of Sunday, May 24, but passed away shortly before 6pm.

Reflecting on her son’s life, his mother Melanie Kiddie said: “We knew he was vulnerable and we knew at any point he could be taken from us so we were all realistic enough to know he was going to have a short life. A whole decade with his family was more than he was expecting.”

Terry was the youngest of Ms Kiddie’s three children, and she said there was so much love between him and his brother Tom, 17, and sister Tasha, 12.

One of her favourite memories was their family holiday to Centre Parcs in Wiltshire in 2009 when Terry first got to ride his duet bike: “He was smiling and laughing the whole time.”

Terry had limited mobility and was unable to speak after having a tracheotomy, but Ms Kiddie said that didn’t stop him enjoying life or getting involved with activities.

She said: “He had a good sense of humour. You could see him grinning and chuckling to himself. He loved music and he loved swimming.

“He was one of those children, if he could have, who would have put a bucket of water above the door, I would have had my work cut out with him.”

Terry spent long periods in hospital, endured multiple operations and suffered a series of complications but when he returned home in 2012, he was unable to go upstairs.His family converted the lounge into a room for him while Ms Kiddie turned her bedroom into the family living room and was sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

They launched the Terry Kiddie Trust, aiming to raise £20,000 for essential alterations to the house, which would give Terry his own room. Planning permission was granted by the council in 2013, but the extension was never finished.

Terry’s fund was backed by the Messenger as our Christmas appeal in 2012 and kind-hearted readers donated hundreds of pounds. It was also supported by former councillor Vaughan Hewett when he was Mayor of Medway.

Mr Hewett said he had great memories of Terry: “It was a joy seeing his happy face especially when we took him to Gillingham Football Club on Boxing Day in 2012. He was such a happy cheery little boy and it’s devastating to hear that he’s passed away.

“My deepest sympathies are with the Kiddie family and it was a great pleasure to have raised the money for them.”

Terry was a pupil at Abbey Court School and Ms Kiddie said she was so thankful for the staff there who allowed him to experience so many different things.

Headteacher Karen Joy said: "Terry was a very popular pupil. We feel very lucky to have known and worked with Terry at our school. Terry was an amazing child.

"Despite his condition he squeezed every last drop out of his short life, wanting to participate in all of the activities that children without difficulties experience – and more. Terry had huge strength of character. He showed huge determination and resilience and bore his ill-health with great fortitude.

"We will miss Terry very much and feel very privileged to have known and shared his life with him. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family. Terry will be long remembered at Abbey Court."

Demelza children’s hospice also played an important role, caring for Terry and providing respite for his mother and siblings.

Ms Kiddie said: “They have been there for the long haul, Terry was spoilt there, they used to argue about who was looking after him, they watched him grow up. I owe them a massive thank you.”

She added: “Now he hasn’t got a physical body, he’s up there doing everything he couldn’t do down here. Terry taught me to live each day as if it was your last, live life to the fullest, let go of what you can’t change and always smile.

“I couldn’t have had a happier, more content little boy in my life and I’m thankful for every single day I had with him, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Funeral details are yet to be announced but Terry’s family will be asking for donations to Demelza rather than flowers.

Ms Kiddie added: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone for their condolences, it’s been overwhelming.”