Mum comforted by people who received son's organs

Alex Newlove, 27, died suddenly after visiting family for Christmas

The mum of a 27-year-old whose organs saved six people has said hearing from the recipients helped her cope with the "utter tragedy" of his death.

Judy Coutinho's son Alex Newlove died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage in Manchester in 2020.

Ms Coutinho has heard from the recipients of his organs who have shared "amazing" stories with her.

She has now urged other organ donor families and transplant recipients to make contact with each other.

Ms Coutinho told BBC Radio Manchester she first received a letter from a young girl who received Alex's lungs and was moved "to read and learn what it meant to her".

She said the girl, who used a wheelchair, "hadn't been able to do anything, hardly, because she couldn't breathe.

"To learn that she'd been walking on the beach with her mum and her dog... it was incredibly emotional and moving."

This encouraged the bereaved mother, from Tarleton in Lancashire, to contact other recipients.

"I decided to actually write myself... telling them a little about who Alex was, but also to give them the green light to say that if ever they felt able to write, I would really love to hear from them."

Ms Coutinho said letters from those who recieved her son's organs helped her grieve

She said the cards and letters which have followed have "really helped with grief" after the loss of her son."

Ms Coutinho said that on Alex's birthday she received a card from a girl who had been given his heart.

"That was really very emotional, I remember being a bit stunned really, but it meant an awful lot to me.

"It's helped to know that something so utterly tragic for us has actually made such a difference to other people, and just reinforces that it was the right decision and the right thing to do."

Ms Coutinho says she understands why donor families and recipients might find it difficult to get in touch.

"I think, from talking to people, they want to wait until they feel that their transplant has been successful and they've done something amazing with it.

"I would say that the most amazing thing is just being in touch and saying thank you.

"A simple card with just those words on means the world."