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A close friend of a couple who lost their "gorgeous little boy" aged just seven is appealing for help in getting the youngster, from Broadstairs, a headstone for his grave.
Little Jacob Fink suffered from rare congenital disorder shwachman diamond syndrome and despite undergoing treatment and tests throughout his short life, died unexpectedly in September surrounded by his family.
His grave, which is at St John's Cemetery in Margate, currently has no headstone, just a plaque, and Paige Crow, a friend of his mum and dad Irene and James, from St Peter's, wants to provide a fitting tribute to Jacob who she says had a "smile that shined brighter than a thousand stars".
"This is the last thing this little boy is ever going to need," she said.
"I am just asking for help - no mother or father should have to bury their child and I have watched them having to explain to his siblings that he is now in heaven and no longer coming home.
"I have watched his siblings ask for Jacob to come home, ask for him to come and play, something which is completely heartbreaking.
"Supporting children and keeping a household is hard, as well as trying to find money for a gravestone, so I have set up a Go Fund Me to allow them to have just that little bit less stress at this hard time in their life."
Jacob, who attended Northdown Primary Academy in Margate, was born in August 2012 a "picture of pure perfection".
"He was a peaceful, content and happy baby," said Paige.
"However a scan during pregnancy detected a condition in Jacob.
"For years, tests were taken and finally at the age of two he was diagnosed with shwachman diamond syndrome."
The condition affects many parts of the body, particularly the bone marrow, pancreas and skeletal system.
Despite this, Paige says Jacob led a happy life with his parents and beloved siblings Hope, Jaxson, Harley and Sofia.
But on September 15, he died unexpectedly
"He was cheeky, funny, a bright start to anybody’s day - he had a smile that shined brighter than a thousand stars," she said.
"His funeral was held in October at Margate cemetery where he was laid to rest, a ceremony that was beautiful and perfect for the most deserving little boy."
Mum-of-two Paige, from Margate, says she wants to do all she can to help and is asking for donations, even just £1 or £2, towards the headstone.
"We don't just want a patch of mud for him so it's been made to look lovely, but there is a marble gravestone with a border which is £250 and then £50 to get it engraved, which would be absolutely perfect for him."
Paige is trying to raise £300. To donate click here.
