The brother of the first person to donate an organ in the South West 50 years ago has raised £2,040 to support transplant services at Southmead Hospital, and it was a privilege to welcome him to our offices.
Clive Hook organised a series of concerts to mark 50 years since Southmead Hospital carried out the first organ transplant ever to take place in the South West.
Mr Hook’s brother Ellis was 18 years old when he was killed in an accident as he rode home from work on his motorcycle in 1968 in Stoke Bishop, Bristol.
At that time, organ transplants were rare in the UK and had never been carried out in Bristol or the South West.
Southmead Hospital had recently employed a transplant surgeon to set up a new service and Ellis’ parents made the brave decision to allow their son’s kidney to be donated.
The recipient was a young mum at the time from Bristol who became a great-grandmother and lived until her recent death aged 75.
“The Great Big Kidney Thank You was a chance to say “thank you” for the life-saving and life-giving miracle work that Southmead Hospital continues to do.
“Ellis’ death was a family tragedy but we’re pleased and proud that my parents’ decision gave the gift of life to someone.”
Clive Hook
Clive and his sister Frances organised a series of concerts called the ‘Great Big Kidney Thank You’ in Westbury on Trym to raise money for our transplant fund and to mark this milestone in October and November last year.
“It is very fitting and very moving that Ellis’ family wanted to mark the 50 years since his passing and the gift of life he gave by fundraising for the hospital where this milestone took place.
“Their donation will help to keep Southmead Hospital at the forefront of transplants, enabling our transplant teams to continue and improve their vital work in connecting recipients and donors, extending, changing and saving lives.”
Adrian Brown, Corporate and Community Manager at Southmead Hospital Charity
