A mum who lost her only child suddenly when he suffered a catastrophic bleed on the brain said knowing that her son's heart went on to save a man's life makes her "extremely proud".
Connor Marchbanks was just 24 when he collapsed unexpectedly after complaining of a headache in July 2019. His mum Honey Sales called 999 and when they arrived at hospital, doctors explained that Connor had a malformation on his brain which had caused a massive bleed and sadly there was nothing they could do.
Honey said her son was a "lovely boy" and incredibly important to her. And the decision to donate Connor's heart not only helps another man live, it feels like he's "still alive somewhere".
Honey, from Forest Hall, said: "The doctors said his heart was strong and I always knew that.
"Because I was short and he was tall, when we used to hug I could hear his heart beating loudly. I wanted it to carry on beating. Connor's heart went on to save the life of another young man in his 20s which makes us extremely proud.
"Connor didn't carry an organ donor card and we hadn’t spoken about it, I asked his friends and they hadn't either.
"I did grapple with it and wish we had talked about it but then something clicked and I felt if I donated his heart it would be like he was still alive somewhere and if I could help another mum who was going to lose her son and stop her feeling like I did, it was worth it."
Connor is one a number of people in the region who was honoured at a moving award ceremony for saving lives through the gift of organ donation. Honey received the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant on behalf of Connor.
Honey added: "Receiving the award on behalf of Connor was one of the proudest days of my life, I was immensely proud of Connor all of his life for the young man he was and all of his achievements. By giving life to another that pride just keeps on growing.
"To receive an award for this made me feel appreciated for the most amazing gift anyone can give to another. I know Connor would have agreed with my decision and that he would have been as proud of me as I am of him.
"It is such a hard decision if you don't know what to do. Connor was a lovely boy, he was my only child and so important to us.
"I wish I had known Connor's wishes. You're grieving but if you can get past your fears, donation makes things easier. Connor has given somebody a life."
Thousands of families are also receiving the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation across the UK, at regional ceremonies or privately. More than 4,000 people donated their organs after death in 2019, 2020 and 2021, leading to around 10,000 patients' lives being saved or transformed over those three years.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "The pride families feel at these moving ceremonies truly is inspirational.
"Transplant patients tell us that organ donors and their families are heroes and the Order of St John award is a chance for us all to recognise them and their amazing contribution to society.
"We hope these awards will inspire other people in Tyne and Wear to tell their families they want to save lives. Being clear with your family about what you want makes things easier at a difficult time, leave them certain about your organ donation decision.
"Families say donation is a source of pride that helps them in their grief and we want to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to donate and save lives.
"Please tell your family about your organ donation decision and join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk."
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