Campaigning parents Maralyn and Alvin Adey, whose disabled son was their inspiration, say they will celebrate his life, not mourn his death.

Mrs Adey said although they were heartbroken at losing 30-year-old Kristian, who had Down’s Syndrome as well as heart and lung defects, they want the humanitarian service at Nab Wood to be a colourful celebration.

Horses were one of Kristian’s many passions and it will be the retired police horse he loved to ride that will lead the cortege next Tuesday.

Kristian died suddenly last month, minutes after enjoying Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, one of his rock favourites.

Mrs Adey, of Wrose Road, Shipley, said: “He’d been getting more tired recently but hadn’t been ill. He’d been playing air guitar just before he died – he’d been having fun and that’s wonderful.

“Kristian was our inspiration. We believe he was born to us to help others.

“We realised at a very early age that Kristian could not fight for himself so we were given the courage and strength to do it for him and others like him. It still will be our goal to help disabled people in his name.”

The family’s first campaign was to keep Greenfield School, Bradford, open in the 1980s. From there they pushed for better school and college transitions for people with disabilities, moving on to tackle health issues and setting up Learning Disability Hospital Support, championing care needs.

The Adeys also successfully campaigned with other families against the closure of Leeds General Infirmary’s heart unit for children.

Kristian’s love of singing prompted his mum to start Sing from the Heart, a group that meets every Friday and in one year has put on eight performances.

Her son had also had various TV roles, including Channel 4’s Shameless.

Mrs Adey said: “The word ‘can’t’ was not in Kristian’s vocabulary. We hope we have inspired and offered help to other parents to do the same.”

Mrs Adey, who has been awarded the title Inspirational Woman of Courage and given the Inspirational Woman Community Star Award, says that was all down to Kristian, supported by her husband, who also works tirelessly.

Kristian was a big fan of WWE Wrestling, enjoyed a photography course at Viz-Able and Radio 119 at BCB, where he interviewed, edited and presented programmes.

He also worked behind the bar at Oddfellows Hall in Shipley and every Tuesday went to ride at the Caring For Life charity near Cookridge.

Donations instead of flowers will go to Caring For Life. His family have requested no black be worn. Afterwards there will be a disco and karaoke party at Shipley & District Social Club.