"Every day was precious."

Those were the moving words of mum Wendy Want, whose son Damien Wilkins died after a long battle with a rare disease.

The much-loved teenager died in Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital on Sunday September 27, 2009.

Damien had celebrated his 16th birthday with his mum and two of his mates, Robert Westerman and Bruce Thomas, just two weeks before his death.

At the age of 10, Damien had been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

The condition creates highly fragile blood vessels, weak cushioning around vital organs, brittle skin and means that any wounds take a long time to heal.

Wendy said: "That did not stop him living life to the full. He knew his life span was about 28 years, but it did not stop him.

"I let him do whatever any other lad does. He loved Manchester United and his bikes and pool.

"He had a huge gang of friends and our home was more like a community centre.

"He was great at wheeling and dealing over the bikes he mended for people. He did up mopeds and pushbikes."

Damien was a regular visitor to CueWorld on Victoria Street, Grimsby to play pool.

His mother praised the support Damien and her family had from doctors and nurses at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

Damien’s father, Gary said: "He really enjoyed the Motor Project in Grimsby where he repaired motorcycles.

"It was great to see him get so much out of it.

"I came back from Manchester four years ago where I was living and working, so I could see him through his youth. I am glad I did."

He recalled taking his son to Old Trafford to watch his favourite team.

Brother Gary, 23 said: "He was everyone’s little brother. He always kept all his girlfriends entertained and he loved his motorbikes."

Sister Sophie, 14, said: "I will always treasure his cheeky smile and his Beanie hat which he always wore.

His friends, classmates and teachers from Hereford School gathered for a memorial football match in his honour.

Amanda Regan, Damien's head of year at Hereford School, said: "Damien was a very popular member of his age group, and it is absolutely brilliant that his friends have organised all of this for him. They also want to do some fundraising in school in his memory."

Damien's friends released balloons bearing heartfelt messages into the air, and read out tributes to the boy who "was loved by everyone".

Jennifer Watson, 14, said: "Texts started going round school saying there was a tribute to Damo. It's good because we can all share our memories of him, and this is where he used to play football all the time.

"Damo was amazing. He was like a little brother to everyone, and always made everyone laugh."

Catherine Milligan, 14, said: "Every time you saw him he always had a smile on his face. He made the Grange what it is. It's not going to be the same without him."

Becky Mair, 14, wrote a poem in tribute to Damien, which described him as "one in a trillion".

She said: "He was one of my brother's best friends and was like a brother to me. I will miss his cheeky smile."

Alice Clark, 14, said: "He was the lad that lit up the Grange. You could go round the world and not meet anyone like Damo."

Joshua Denford, 13, said: "There was not one person who he didn't get along with. It's not going to be the same without him."

James Ballard, 13, said: "He was funny, he was kind, he was like my brother. He was everything to me."

Damien's girlfriend Danielle Finn, 14, said: "I fell in love with Damo as soon as I met him. He was funny, kind-hearted and always made me smile."

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co. uk/news/Poignant-farewell- popular-Damien/article- 1390651-detail/article.html [This Is Grimsby]