Such Tragedy Turns Into A Beautiful Gift

A MUCH loved young woman who died in a crash with a school coach has saved the lives of eight others after her organs were donated.

Sophie Crew, 23, died in a head on collision on the B3078, near Horton, in June after she crashed into a school bus carrying 45 pupils from the Alderholt and Cranborne areas.
At the inquest Coroner Sheriff Payne recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing Miss Crew’s Mini was seen driving into the path of the coach on June 11. He said that Miss Crew’s car must have only been on the wrong side of the road by a foot but “because of the width of the coach there was little room for error”. The collision resulted in the coach leaving the road and hitting a tree, a road sign and a telegraph pole. Miss Crew’s father Stephen spoke at the inquest and described his daughter, who worked as a scientist for Wessex Water, as a popular young woman who had many friends and spent time helping charities. In a statement the family said: “Sophie’s tragic death has affected so many people as she embraced every aspect of life and was such a vibrant and enthusiastic individual.

“As a family we have received hundreds of letters showing not only people’s condolences but expressing how Sophie positively enriched their lives and supported them through challenging times.

“Sophie’s endless love and affection touched so many and is one of the most difficult consequences of her life ending too soon.
“As a family we would like to thank everyone for their support and love throughout this devastating time of our lives.”
During the inquest the coach driver Christopher Tomlin said the crash was very traumatic for everyone involved, including the 26 pupils on their way to Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne,
He said: “I think about it every day and night as it was traumatic for everyone involved.”
The inquest heard some of the children were not wearing seatbelts and there were a number of minor injuries, but everyone was taken off the coach safely.
Following the crash Miss Crew was taken to Poole Hospital with a severe head injury but died hours later.

During this time in hospital the family agreed to organ donation and as a result Mr Payne said that eight people have been saved.

 

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/10854865.Crash_victim_saves_eight_lives_by_organ_donation/

 

*OUR DEEPEST THOUGHTS GO TO THIS FAMILY*

Give the Best Gift This Christmas

Many more transplants are required for people to survive, the above is only relevant for those requiring heart and lung transplants. This is the reason why I have set up 'My Butterfly Family', the above shows 24 children requiring transplants and 250 adults requiring organ transplants. Imagine how many of those adults have children which they may potentially leave behind if they are not fortunate enough to receive their organ transplant.

If you are reading this, ask yourself: Am I signed up to the organ donor register? IF YES- do your relatives know your wishes? If NO, ask yourself why not?

While many are enjoying the Christmas holidays, please take time to consider those who are away from their families, who have to spend their Christmas in hospital, and for those who wish to make and see each and every day! You can help those requiring transplants to stay positive simply by signing up to the organ donor register! Let them know you are thinking of them and helping as much as you can!

 

GIVE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT - HOPE

To sign up to the organ donor register: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/consent.asp

THANK YOU! Almost 100 signatures

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who have signed the e-petition to raise awareness of organ donation in secondary schools and to have constant TV coverage! We have almost reached 100 signatures! This is great news, however there is still a VERY long way to go! we NEED to achieve 100,000 signatures in order for this e-petition to be considered!
PLEASE sign and SHARE: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/54567

I have really been struggling this week, missing my cousin so much. Still I read comments and stories about people receiving their first or second transplant, and I still cannot help but feel jealous and anger! Of course I am overjoyed that they have been fortunate enough to receive and organ transplant, but why didn't my cousin? I have so many questions left unanswered however I need to accept these wont be answered! However, my feelings only lead to further determination, for no other family have to go through the same ordeal as we have had to! I will continue to campaign, raise awareness and carry on my cousins memory and legacy via the charity!

Today I saw his two little boys, I wanted to just run up to them and cuddle them sooooo hard! I hate thinking they are growing up without a father! However they are both so strong! Without a doubt, the charity set up in memory of my cousin 'My Butterfly Family' will send these two amazing young boys on a day trip they will never forget! After the tough 3 years they had, they deserve a day which will revolve purely around them, and know that we are here to support them and that we ALL miss their father!
 

Please if you would like to help make this happen, please donate via pay pal: mybutterflyfamily@gmail.com

What is keeping me busy is planning many fundraising events throughout 2014, I will ensure that my cousins campaign continues to grow bigger and bigger every year! For those fortunate enough to have received an organ transplant, they need to treasure their second chance and be aware that it may be down to my cousin's campaign and the challenge of raising awareness of organ donation, that they received their gift of an organ!

If you are interested in finding out more about the fundraising events please visit the website: www.mybutterflyfamily.weebly.com

Charity Bike Ride - 56 Miles

I have organised a charity bike ride on the 20th July 2014 to celebrate my dear cousin Jay's birthday. It is aimed for friends, family and people local and far, in similar situations to all get together to share stories and simply support one another!

 Raising money for the newly established charity set up in Jays memory - My Butterfly Family.

It will be tough - the route is a 56 mile loop, starting at the Viking Ship - Pegwell Bay Kent, visiting Joss Bay, Reculver, Whitstable, Canterbury and then returning via sandwhich to the Viking Ship - Pegwell.

COST: £5 per person (payable on the day)
MEETING PLACE: Pegwell bay - Viking Ship.
TIME: from 9:30am to SET OFF at 10am!

It is NOT a race, we will all set off together, have regular refreshments breaks which will also allow for group photos for our progress.

If you would like to take part please say so, so I can forward sponsorship forms and details.

 

If you would like to Sponsor me please do so via paypal: mybutterflyfamily@gmail.com Even £1 will be truly gratefully received!

 Thank you

Such Tragic News

So not only have I lost my dear cousin at the start of 2013 due to not receiving his heart transplant but today I found out that a very good childhood school friend is now on the transplant list needing his gift of a lung transplant. Jon Hardy has battled his whole life fighting a condition called Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which is a genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick sticky mucus. Jon's life so far has constantly consisted of endless trips in and out of hospital, bronchodilators , antibiotics and physiotherapy. If you know anyone with this condition your know exactly how limiting this awful condition is! There is NO treatment as such, the only real effective treatment is a lung transplant which even then, if successful continues with a life of endless medication! However they have been given a second chance, a HERO who SIGNED UP to the organ donor register will be able to provide my friend, and others, with a second chance! Just remember part of you will always live on, and to many, your be known and remembered as a true, noble HERO!

2013 truly has been an awful year, please if you haven't already done so, PLEASE sign up to the Organ Donor Register!

Many admit that they don't like thinking about the end of their life, and that signing up to the organ donor register is a devastating matter to consider. However put yourself in the shoes of a person requiring a transplant - wouldn't you wish and hope that an organ becomes available for you? Considering what happens at the end of your life shouldn't be a scary matter, by signing up your make such a difference and can save up to 9 lives! WOW! Also take into consideration that the feeling you have when considering signing up to the donor register will not be remotely close to the feelings of those requiring a transplant. They are aware that their life may be cut short, imagine the fear they must be feeling. YOU can do something about this! There are over 7500 people requiring a transplant, of these, almost 1000 pass away every year because they have not received their gift! PLEASE help change this!

"I'll sign up tomorrow" Tomorrow could be too late! Act now! Save Lives!

First Memorial Gift Ordered Via The Newly Establised Charity (My Butterfly Family)

The newly established charity in memory of my cousin, (My Butterfly Family) has finally commenced and we have been able to order the very first memorial gift for a very special young lady. Thank you just isn't enough to every one who has kindly helped achieve this.

If you would like to know more about this charity please visit: www.mybutterflyfamily.weebly.com

If you would like to donate to the charity please do so via PayPal: mybutterflyfamily@gmail.com

Once again, thank you!

Time for BIGGER changes

So I have now come up with a fantastic new idea and through research I feel this has the potential to be a HUGE success. With the given situation regarding my dear cousin, this has opened my eyes into the suffering his children have gone through in accepting that their father has passed away. Prior to this, they had to accept he was living in hospital and had limited chances to visit him. Putting this all together I have taken on the challenge of setting up my own charity. It will be aimed at families who have lost a loved one whether it be a child loosing a parent or a parent loosing a child due to not receiving a much needed organ transplant. This being due to research and discovering there are limited sources to help children and parents who have lost a loved one due to organ failure and personally feeling that after witnessing such a traumatic experience, both children and parents need support, to know there are others in a similar situation and to be offered a day in which revolves around them. Being fully aware that there are many families within the UK in a similar situation there will be a selection process of children or parents who are nominated to the charity. The charity itself will rely purely on generous donations from the public so please understand that it may be a slow process at present.

Each successful nominated family will receive a beautiful memorial gift of their loved one and then be offered a day which is purely revolved around the person/s nominated. This is aimed to help with the bereavement process and to show those affected that although their loved one has gone, continuing with their life does not mean they have forgotten, they are learning how to cope without their loved one. Through research it became clear that many would appreciate a memorial item which they can look at everyday, knowing they are supported but most importantly this will help with the bereavement process. Many also agreed that a day revolving around the nominated person would help, particularly children, in accepting and to provide positive emotions.

The main aim of the charity is to 'buddy' up local families who are experiencing similar situations aiming to provided much needed support and to be able to answer any questions. There is no better advice than what comes from a person who has experienced the same.

I fully understand this may be a slow process in starting up this charity, so please bare with us, however through research I need to achieve £5,000 a year to be able to set up and register this charity officially. Because of this small set back, I have set up a pay pal account in which donations can be sent to and already planning future promotional events aiming to help achieve and progress this target.

If you would like to make a donation towards this charity please send via PayPal to: mybutterflyfamily@gmail.com  Any amount will be gratefully received. And please remember that your be helping both children and parents who have experienced such a traumatic event which no one should have to experience.

 

Thank you in advance.