THE funeral has taken place for a young women who inspired her family to change the law.

A white carriage pulled by two white horses transported Stacey Preston from her home in Heber Way to the service at St Helen's Church on Wednesday, August 19.

The 20-year-old died on July 30 following a lifelong battle with neurometabolic mitochondrial disease.

She was looked after at home by her mum Rachel and dad Paul.

Paul said: "We walked with Stacey's horse and carriage through Northwich to St Helen's Church, where friends, family and medical professionals both attended and joined in Stacey's service, led by the Rev Alison Harris, which also included a slideshow of her short precious life.

"After letting fly silver butterfly confetti Stacey was placed in her own accessible van and driven by myself to the Vale Royal Crematorium.

"Again silver butterfly confetti was let off before we entered for the service."

Mitochondrial disease affects the cells of sufferers as the mitochondria in the cells, which produce energy, do not work or work inefficiently, meaning that the cell cannot function properly.

A mitochondrial disorder has affected three of Paul and his wife Rachel's five children and Stacey's sister Kristen died in 1992, aged just eight weeks old.

This prompted Paul to set up The Children's Mitochondrial Disease Network (CMDN) in 1998 to support other families, raise awareness and campaign for improved treatment and management of mitochondrial disorders.

He has given conferences across the world and sat on a Government committee, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Mitochondrial DNA Embryo Research Overview Group.

After Stacey's committal the family released six doves and 20 butterfly balloons and served a Frozen cake, donated for Stacey's 21st birthday memorial.

"I would like to express special thanks to those whom accompanied Princess Stacey from Heber Walk to the church and on to the crematorium," Paul said.

"Special thanks and attention to Damien, Barry and Tom and all colleagues at George Bell's Funeral Service for their support and attention at both locations."