A MUM whose life was saved after she received an organ from attack victim Len Saunders met his relatives on Saturday to mark what would have been his 67th birthday.

Len, known as ‘Len Banana’, was 65 when he died in hospital on Sunday, July 30, 2017 – nine days after he was attacked on Ward Street because he did not give a 17-year-old drunken yob a cigarette.

His death from a single punch shocked the community who came together to raise £3,000 in his memory.

But Len’s story does not end there.

More than 80 miles away in Wolverhampton, 28-year-old mum Lucie Lovridge was given 24 hours to live after her second liver transplant was rejected.

However, Len, a much-loved actor and poet, had signed the organ donor register, so after his own life ended he went on to save hers.

On Saturday, on what would have been Len’s 67th birthday, Lucie came to Lucem House Community Cinema Plus on Corporation Street with her family to meet those Len loved most and thank them for “sharing a piece of his life with her".

 

Len’s family with his organ recipient Lucie Pic: Robbob

Lucie said: “After I had my daughter Shay-Leigh seven years ago, my immune system started attacking my liver. And in January 2012, when she was just seven months old, I had my first transplant which worked for about a year.

“Then I had my second one in October 2014 which lasted a year and a half before complications started.

“This time last year I was really poorly in hospital and my family were told that I had less than 24 hours left to live.

“Only one surgeon took the chance on me and did the surgery.

“That’s when Len passed away and I was given his liver.

“With all my other surgeries I had had issues by now, but I’ve had none, I’m still here to be a mummy to my daughter and that’s because of the act of donation by Len and his family.

“Meeting Len’s family was extremely emotional for me.

“I feel like I now can be a mum to Shay-Leigh and live my life as he would; I share a of piece of his life now.”

Shay Leigh, Lucie’s daughter, now seven, added: “I know that a man hit Len Banana and he died but that he helped my mummy to live.

“I feel very grateful and happy she is here with me because of him

“Thank you Len Banana for saving my mummy.”

 

Lucie with her daughter

Ramy Soliman, Len’s nephew, said: “This year we received a letter from Kerry, the mother of one of Len’s recipients and it provided a great source of comfort to us.

“It read: 'To the donor family, can I firstly thank you from the bottom of our hearts and send our sincerest condolences on your great loss.

“'The gift you have given us is one that you can’t put a cost on – a life.

“'Lucie received the gift of a liver and continues to do well and can now be a mummy to her daughter.

“'She is able to do this because of your amazing uncle and no amount of thank yous is good enough for this gift and I truly hope that this can give you hope that your loved one is a hero. Our hero. Who is continually in our thoughts'.”

Ramy said: “This has been a great comfort to us, especially as only two per cent of organ recipients go on to meet the donor families, so for Lucie and her family to get in touch how they have is amazing and we are so grateful.”

Heba Soliman, Len’s niece, added: “When I heard that Lucie was a mum, as a mum-of-three myself that’s what struck a cord with me.

“It is beyond lovely to meet Lucie, who is one of five people Len went on to help.

“His kidneys went to two different people saving lives and his corneas have allowed two other people to see again.

“It’s such a huge comfort to us to know that he did not die in vain, he died but his life has helped others to live.

“I would urge others to consider organ donation because the gift this has given to us in our grief is beyond words and we wish Lucie and all his organ recipients the very best in the future."

Video with Ramy talking at Lucem House Community Cinema Plus