Newtown family urges public to sign up to donor register

by: Helen Davies | The Leader

THE family of a 20-year-old man whose organs helped other people after he died are urging people to sign up to the donor register.

Tim Bryant died as a result of a car crash in Powys in 2005 but before his death he had joined the organ donor register.

His kidneys and liver helped save the lives of a six-year-old girl and the mum of an 11-year-old boy.

Now two of Tim’s sisters, Jessica and Bethany, are training for the ASICS British 10K run, through which they hope to raise awareness of organ donation and raise cash for the Donor Family Network, which they say provided them with valuable support after Tim’s death.

Jessica, a student of applied arts at Glyndwr University, said: “We are running for the Donor Family Network as they helped us so we thought we’d help them.

“It was a big shock when Tim died. This is one of the reasons why we wanted to run for the Donor Family Network because it’s such a shock but they don’t just take the organs and go.

“They stay around and give counselling and support groups. A lot of people don’t realise the family support they give.”

Jessica, 21, and Bethany, 19, both from Newtown, hope as well as raising money for charity running the 10K race will increase awareness of organ donation.

“I think people need to start thinking more about giving blood and putting themselves on the donor list,” said mum-of-one Jessica.

“If you’re in a situation where you need a transfusion or an organ you’re not going to turn around then and say you’re scared of needles.

“I think people should donate organs.”

Tim, who was a care worker and member of St John Ambulance, had signed up to the organ donor register before he died.

Jessica said he was a popular man who had just returned from travelling in Australia before his death.

“Everybody who knew him misses him,” she said.

Jessica and Bethany, who work at Spar in Newtown have been training hard for the race in London on July 10.

“Bethany is a fitness fanatic but I’m struggling a little bit,” said Jessica. “I’ve been running around Wrexham to practise.”

The pair have set a fundraising target of £500.

To sponsor them go to www.justgiving.com/Bethany-Bryant. To join the NHS Organ Donor Register call 0300 123 23 23 or text SAVE to 84118.