Tragic Lee's lifeline to others

THE FAMILY of a young sailor who died in a car crash have described their happiness that he has given the gift of life to three others.

Lee Morgan, a Royal Navy engineer from Parkend, died in an accident on the stretch of road near the Severn Bore pub in Minsterworth on September 10 2008.

He was just 20 years old.

Following Lee's death his family made the decision to donate his organs.

Despite never actually signing up to be a donor, Lee always carried a donor card, and his mother Deb, 47, knew that Lee would have backed their decision to donate his organs.

She said: "I am safe in the knowledge that it is what Lee would have wanted.

"It was my decision for them to have his kidneys, liver and heart valves, but I didn't want them to touch anything external – he was just perfect to us and we wanted him to stay that way.

"But the staff at Frenchay were amazing and it was totally our decision, and we could have backed out at any time.

"Nothing positive has come from Lee's death for us as parents, we lost our son.

"But to see that because of Lee, someone's life has improved is wonderful."

Ron Francis, 67, the recipient of one of Lee's kidneys paid tribute to him.

"I have had a new lease of life and it's all thanks to Lee," he said.

"Such generosity for a young man is awesome, it really is mind blowing."

Mr Francis, of Christchurch in Dorset, was on the transplant waiting list for 18 months. Shortly after Lee's death, he was notified that a perfect kidney match had been found.

After having the operation, on September 10, he said he can do so much more than before.

"I was working 30-hour weeks before and even that was a struggle," said the care home worker.

"I can now do 75 hour weeks. I am very fortunate and am extremely thankful to Lee."

Mr Francis is now in weekly contact with Lee's parents via e-mail and sent them flowers at Christmas.

"They have been interested in how I am getting on," he said.

"They are just over the moon that something good has come of this."

Since Lee's death, Deb has joined the donor register.

She said: "We have now seen how precious it is and I would encourage others to sign up to be a donor.

"Donating Lee's organs has really helped us get through this, and the two guys who received the kidneys – we couldn't have picked two nicer chaps.

"Lee would have really got on with them too, they both have a wicked sense of humour, just like Lee."

Both Deb and Lee's dad Joe, 52, are in contact with Ron via e-mail and they have met the other recipient of Lee's kidney, a man from Bristol.

Another man from London received Lee's liver.

Ron even has a photograph of Lee on his mantle piece next to his parents, that Deb sent him.

Those interested in becoming a donor can ring the NHS Organ Donor Register on 0845 60 60 400.