The widow of a keen sportsman who donated his organs to help others has encouraged everyone to talk to their families about donation.

Pat Parkes’ husband, Graham Parkes, 75, died in Colchester Hospital’s critical care unit following a brain haemorrhage.

The couple had both carried organ donation cards for years and were fully aware of each other’s wishes.

Following his death, Mr Parkes’ kidney was given away to a man in his sixties who had been dependant on dialysis for five years and was finally was able to receive a life-saving transplant.

He has also given the gift of sight by donating his eyes to another patient.

Mrs Parkes, of Clacton, said: “Both Graham and I always knew what we would do in the event of something happening and there was no question of us changing our minds.

“It really brought me comfort to know that his organs had been used to help others.

“It was lovely to find out a little about those people and to think that something good had come from something so sad.”

Mrs Parkes has shared her husband’s story at the start of this year’s Organ Donation Week.

Following a change in the law, all adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

The campaign aims to encourage people to talk openly to their loved ones about organ donation to avoid uncertainty when the time comes.

Gazette: Organ donation week - Ipswich critical care

She added: “Graham certainly made the most of life and loved playing table tennis, sailing and cycling.

“Everyone at the hospital was so kind and understanding and explained everything to us as well as going on to let us know how Graham’s organs had been used. He was a lovely man and generous to a fault, which shows in his decision to donate his organs and help others after his death.”