Funeral for Jake Vella, who captured the hearts of the people, being held

The funeral for Jake Vella, a much beloved teenager who captured the hearts of the people with his love for life and courage to never give up, is being held today.Jake, son of Maruska and Josie Vella, suffered from the rare disease ROHHAD (Rapid-onse

By: independent.com.mt

Sep 07 2024
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Funeral for Jake Vella, who ca

The funeral for Jake Vella, a much beloved teenager who captured the hearts of the people with his love for life and courage to never give up, is being held today.

Jake, son of Maruska and Josie Vella, suffered from the rare disease ROHHAD (Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic dysfunction, Hypoventilation, and Autonomic Dysregulation), affecting around 100 children worldwide, which caused rapid and abnormal weight gain and respiratory issues, despite the amount of physical exercise one does.

The disease didn't hold Jake back. He enjoyed swimming and he reportedly regarded the Tal-Qroqq National Pool as his "Second home". He would undertake athletic challenges for charitable causes, such as raising funds by swimming 1.7Km, from St Paul's Islands to Mellieha, in open sea, as well as 100Km over 20 days, breaking the national record for the youngest person to swim 100Km in a pool. He notably marked his year's stay at Mater Dei Hospital last year with a 'Paw Walk', surrounded by pet-lovers and dog-walkers, in aid of the Association of Abondoned Annimals (AAA).

Though Jake spent much of his time at hospital due to his condition, he kept up his education virtually and had a love for music with the skill to play the guitar and piano. Last December he had collaborated with Malta's Got Talent's La Voix Harmonies to release a Maltese song called, 'We make dreams come true.'

When he passed, aged 15, on Friday 30^th August 2024, social media was flooded with messages of condolences and the fond memories of the teen. Posts were made, among others, by Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola who saluted him as a dream-chaser, an altruist and ultimately, an inspiration.

Jake's funeral began with a journey from Mater Dei Hospital to the Birzebbugia Parish Church on Saturday at 9am, accompanied by the Malta Mountain Bike Association cyclists, amongst others who were invited to join to honour the teen they hailed as a "true hero", in what they called a "final farewell bike ride", in turn escorted by traffic enforcement officials. The funeral cortege arrived at the Church at around 10am.