The family of Liam McCallum have paid tribute to a very special teenager who "had the biggest smile that would light up the room" after his passing.
The 16-year-old from Liscolman sadly died on Friday after going into hospital when his colon burst in his sleep.
His mum Natasha said the family were still in shock, but that they had only good memories of a lifetime of love shared with Liam.
Read more: Co Antrim teen's dream come true after meeting Liverpool FC legends
"He had the biggest smile that would light up a room, he was always smiley for everybody," she said.
"He loved attention, he went to Sandelford School in Coleraine and they absolutely adored him.
"If someone came into a classroom he would make a noise so they would know he was there and come over to talk to him.
"He was just a joy to be around, he was such a lovely child, he lightened up the room and everybody just loved him."
Liam didn't have the easiest of lives in recent years, after being struck by a car in 2017, suffering life-changing injuries.
He was adopted by the McCallum family at age two and a half, after being fostered by their grandparents.
For parents Ali and Natasha, as well as sisters Amy, Lucy and Rachel it was simply love at first sight.
Natasha told Belfast Live that while losing Liam will be the hardest thing they've experienced as a family, they are determined that his character and infectious smile will be reflected at his funeral.
"So many people have been in touch already and we're expecting a lot of people to be at his funeral," she said.
"I would say it's going to be a massive day and a hard day for us all, because we loved him so much.
"We did say we don't want his funeral to be a sorrowful day, we want to celebrate his life, we don't want people dressed in black."We want the ladies to be dressed in nice, colourful summer dresses and we want football people to wear their teams.
"It doesn't have to be Liverpool - we loved Liverpool and that will be a big part of this funeral, as it was a big part of his life but if everyone wants to wear their own football team and be there for him, it'll be a celebration of his life.
"It will be on Monday at 2pm at Bushmills Church of Ireland."
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