A FATHER-of-three from Abergele has been posthumously honoured at an award ceremony having helped save lives through donating his organs.

Colin James was a fit and active dad of three, who was always helping others, but collapsed one day last summer and was found to have a bleed on his brain.

His condition sadly then deteriorated further before he died in August 2022 at the age of 57, with his kidneys and liver donated.

But at a private ceremony at Chester Town Hall in May, Colin and other organ donors received the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, which were given to their families and loved ones.

Colin, who worked as a gas and plumbing engineer in Abergele, was celebrated by his wife, Susan, following the receipt of this award.

She said: “The one thing I would say about ‘Col’ is that he was always helping somebody.

“No matter what it was, he would always help, and share what he had, like his tools, car, caravan. He was so handy, he could make and fix anything.

“We had known each other since a young age and we became a couple 32 years ago. I remember him saying early on: ‘I think we’re going to be together a long time’.

“After two years, we married and had our three girls. I always felt very loved. He was very sociable and has left a big whole in many people’s lives.”

Colin’s family will take part in a fundraising walk from Abergele to Llandudno this month, in his memory and to raise money for The Brain Charity.

Only about one per cent of people in the UK die in the circumstances to become an organ donor each year.

Susan added: “It’s difficult to believe he isn’t here, as a lot is changing, with our girls moving out and settling down. It was heart-breaking losing him and I miss him so much; he was the love of my life.

“We should have celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year; we had planned a cruise, and he was really excited and looking forward to it.

“I went with our youngest daughter, which was lovely, but also hard without my husband.

“Colin would help anyone. It just feels very fitting that he was an organ donor; some good has come from his death.

“Thanks to Colin’s gift, he was able to help two people have a longer life with their families.”