Harry Douglas, 19, died after a motorbike crash on the East Lancashire Road on September 6. His mum, Lauren Douglas, has paid tribute to him as a "superhero" after his organs saved seven lives.
Harry was on his way to his boyfriend's home when the one-vehicle crash involving his Lexmoto motorbike happened on the Manchester-bound carriageway of the East Lancashire Road, in St Helens, at around 9pm on Sunday, September 6.
Mum's journey to the scene
Lauren received a phone call from Josh's mum when Harry did not arrive at his boyfriend's house before checking her son's location on her phone. When she saw he was on the East Lancs, she drove to the scene where she was met with blue lights and a cordon.
Lauren, who spoke to the ECHO for Organ Donation Week, explained how her son had a love for horses and music. The 39-year-old said: "He loved his music, Pink, Taylor Swift. We would always be doing carpool karaoke, just blasting songs out in the car together.
"On the Saturday [before Harry's death] we spent all day together in the stables. We were talking about redesigning the stables, where things were going to be. It was nice to have that day with him. On the Sunday he was going to his boyfriend Josh's house when he crashed."
His partner's mum called me and I saw her name come up on my phone and I knew it was something bad. I checked his location and I went to the scene. I got there and saw the police and the blocked road. As a mother you know, I felt that something wasn't right and I just knew. The police took me to the hospital to confirm it was him and he then went into the critical care unit.
Organ donation decision
Harry remained in Aintree Hospital on life support, with Lauren and her younger daughter Belle, 15, who Harry's "life revolved around", staying by his bedside the entire time. Lauren explained how she then had a conversation with professionals about organ donation, with Harry unlikely to survive his injuries. Tragically, Harry died on Thursday, September 10.
Just months earlier, he, his mum and his younger sister sat down and discussed being on the organ donor register should something happen to them. It came after Harry chose not to opt-out when he applied for his provisional driving licence shortly before his 17th birthday.
While Harry made the decision that he wanted his organs to be donated and used for people who need them, Lauren was still asked whether she was comfortable with the process. She claims she was given the option to go against Harry's wishes. Now she is calling for people to have conversations with their loved ones about their wishes and has urged them to be honest with each other in order to allow their organs to be used in life-saving operations across the country.
'My son is a superhero'
Lauren, who works in healthcare herself, said her son saved seven lives from his organs alone. She said: "Harry loved superheroes and now I say he is a superhero himself. As he went into the operating theatre, I gave him a kiss and told him that too. My son is a superhero I want people to hear about how amazing he was and about organ donation.
"I didn't think I would need to know that information [about organ donation], not in a millions years did I think I would need to know that, but I want people to know that because he was such good person. That's what is important to me, the lovely Harry, the kind Harry."
Lauren said her son was universally loved by those who knew him and raised money for both Ronald McDonald House and the Princess Trust. Originally from West Derby, Lauren said: "Everyone who knew him has said how lovely he was. He would do anything for anyone."
In a GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up to help Lauren and her daughter with the sudden loss, as well as helping with the costs of keeping Harry's two horses who he adored, family friend Amy-Lea Melling wrote: "Harry was such a kind-hearted lad, devoted to his mum and sister, Belle. Everything he did in life was for their benefit.
"He was truly the best, most generous big brother and son. Together the three shared a passion for horse riding, with the dream of one day opening their own yard. An unstoppable trio with the strongest bond. Harry’s other great love was his partner, Josh, the calm to his wild and wonderful self. When Harry wasn't at the yard they would spend their free time walking their dog, Hallie, and planning their future together."
The money raised will also go towards funeral costs, with Harry due to be laid to rest on October 2.
Organ Donation Week
Organ Donation Week is a yearly event and is a chance for people to learn about organ donation and the NHS's need for more donors. On its website, the NHS said how the health service needs more support than ever with more than 8,500 people currently in need of a transplant to improve their lives.
The NHS organ donation website said: "Organ donation is when you decide to give an organ to save or transform the life of someone else. Did you know that someone dies every day waiting for an organ transplant?
"Most organ and tissue donations come from people who have died. You can record whether or not you want to become an organ donor when you die on the NHS Organ Donor Register. You can also donate some organs while you are alive, and this is called living organ donation. There is a separate process to register your interest in becoming a living organ donor."
