A WELL known Minehead businessman and former local councillor and mayor, who died suddenly last year, was among five people from Somerset to be posthumously honoured at an award ceremony recently, for saving lives through organ donation.

Simon Stokes, whose wife Julie accepted the award on his behalf, received the Order of St John award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant.

“It was very emotional to receive the award, but it was nice to have a thank you and I was pleased that he has been recognised, and to know he is not forgotten,” said Julie.

“He was a very generous man and he helped five people through his death – he was a true gentleman to the end.”

Simon had fought back from a brain aneurysm and was on the road to recovery when he had a second and this time catastrophic bleed in May 2015.

After his sudden and unexpected death at the age of 55, his eyes, kidneys and heart were offered for life-saving transplants.

“This programme is very close to me and, luckily for me, we had spoken about it and it was clearly his wish. A lot of people carry a card but it’s important that their other half knows that is what you want, otherwise it can stop transplants happening.

“It is such a difficult time for the one left behind, it’s vital that your nearest and dearest know clearly that’s what you want to happen, it’s so much easier if you are absolutely clear,” said Julie.

She said she and her family are all organ donors, and everyone close to Simon had signed up now.

“He has inspired a lot of people,” she said.