'Even after death, he's still helping people'

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'Even after death, he's still helping people'
Saturday, April 04, 2009, 09:00

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THREE lives have potentially been saved because a Cleethorpes apprentice, who died in a crash on the A15, donated his organs.

Six of 20-year-old Ashley Greensides' organs have been given to those in need following his death on Wednesday.

His father Dave said: "Even after his death, he is still helping people. That is what my lad was all about."

As reported, Ashley – an apprentice electrician at Townsend Electrical – passed away hours after the crash on the A15 near Barton on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph, his father Dave said the family is now taking comfort from the fact their son has helped six people to lead better lives.

"He always said if anything happened to him, he wanted to donate his organs, but it was so hard for us," he said.

"But now we have been told where they have gone, we are so glad he did it.

"Six people have had their lives saved or completely changed because of him."

Ashley's liver is expected to save the life of a woman whose liver has failed, while his two heart valves have been donated to separate people in potentially life-saving operations.

One of his kidneys has been donated to a 22-year-old man who has been on dialysis for two years, while the other went to a 38-year-old man who has been on dialysis for four years. His pancreas was also donated.

Dave said: "Lots more people should carry a donor card because it really can save lives."

Paying tribute to her son, Ashley's mum Joanne said: "He was ambitious and always worked hard – but he loved a drink with the lads too. He wanted everything out of life.

"He bought his first house when he was 18, and he wanted to buy more. He had been on holidays all over the place with his friends.

"He was so popular, and for good reason. I think he did more in his 20 years than most people do in their lifetimes.

"He has two brothers, Michael and Nick, who he loved dearly and they all stuck together.

"Ashley and me had such a close bond and he would talk to me about anything."

The day after Ashley died, he was due to be celebrating with his girlfriend, Abi Good, as she turned 18.

Dave said: "They have been together for a couple of years and they were always laughing. She was like a daughter to me.

"They used to call each other by their middle names – so he would call her Frances, and she would call him Ray.

"He absolutely doted on her, and she told me that she wanted to marry him. They wanted to buy their own house soon, to live in together."

Although the cause of the crash has not been established, Dave described his son as a careful driver.

"He had an unblemished driving licence and would never speed," he said.

Joanne and Dave want to thank all of Ashley's friends who have sent flowers and cards.

Funeral details will be announced at a later date.

Pay tribute to Ashley by posting a comment on this article or by visiting http://lastingtribute.thisis grimsby.co.uk

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/death-s-helping-people/article-872774-detail/article.html