SWAN Hill Specialist School has led tributes to “cheeky, cheerful” student Xavier Fallon, who died this week.
Xavier, 6, died on Monday at Bendigo Base Hospital.
Thousands of dollars have been raised in his memory.
From a young age, Xavier was diagnosed with an extremely rare progressive metabolic condition called 2-methyl-3hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.
The disorder is characterised by normal early development followed by a progressive loss of mental and motor skills.
“It is with sadness that we share with our school community the loss of our much loved Red Room student, Xavier,” the school posted on Facebook.
“We wrap our arms around Billy, Trimeaka and Felicity as a community and share our comfort and love with them.
“Xavier was a cheeky, cheerful boy who was given the opportunity to live his life to the fullest by his loving family, supportive carers and his loving peers and school staff.
“We will miss his smiles and giggles and hope that he is shining bright as the newest star in the sky.”
More than $7000 has been raised through an online fundraising page to help the family with funeral expenses.
NDIS provider Chasing Hope founder Rebecca Poyner said Chasing Hope had been one of the key support providers for Xavier in the past 12 months.
Ms Poyner said his parents’ “unwavering support and resilience” in giving Xavier an “as normal a life as possible” had been paramount.
“Due to their continued and tireless advocating, Xav has been able to continue his education and spend time with his peers up until just last term,” Ms Poyner said on the GoFundMe page.
“Always a happy and giggly little man with the most infectious smile, Xav was a little warrior and fought hard.
“Trem, Billy and Flick have spent a multitude of the last six-and-a-half years in and out of hospitals all over the state.
“As many are aware, the costs of a funeral can be daunting enough, let alone having to bury your six-year-old child.”
Donate at www.gofundme.com/f/xavier-william-fallon.
