Family speak of pride in teenager whose organs saved four lives

23 September 2025

The family of a popular teenager who was tragically killed in a car collision say they take great solace from the fact that his organs have helped to save the lives of four other people.

Josh Atkins, who was a big Sheffield United fan and a keen fisherman, died in November 2023 aged 17 after the car he was a passenger in crashed.

When Josh was in the Northern General Hospital and it was clear that his injuries meant he had no chance of survival, his family made the decision to donate his organs.  His heart, liver and kidneys have subsequently saved the lives of four other people.

His aunt, Claire Chapman, said: “We’ve lost Josh and that has been devastating for our family, but we take huge comfort that his organs have helped others and that his heart is still beating.”

Claire was the first to get to the hospital following the accident, as Josh’s parents Tracy and Gavin Atkins were away on holiday when it happened. After asking medical staff about the possibility of organ donation, Claire spoke to Tracy and Gavin who agreed straight away.

Claire said: “The way we look at it is that if we would accept an organ if we needed one, then we should also be prepared to give one. We later found out that Josh had had a conversation with his girlfriend’s family about organ donation, and that his attitude was that ‘they are no good to me when I am gone, so they might as well help someone else’, which was the sort of person he was.”

Josh’s heart went to a man in his 40s, his liver to a man in his 50s and his kidneys to a man and woman in their 20s.

All have subsequently been in touch with the family through the organ donation service.

Claire said: “The heart transplant recipient wrote us a beautiful letter and let us know about a tribute he and his family had paid to Josh on the anniversary of the transplant. One of the kidney recipients had been on holiday to Turkey and Josh had never been abroad, so when we got that letter we were all saying ‘Josh has been abroad!’

“Although we will grieve Josh for the rest of our lives, the fact he has saved four lives is a positive that has come out of this tragedy and reading the letters it makes you realise what an amazing thing he’s done.”

She said that the care Josh and the family received during an extraordinarily difficult time was exemplary.

“Paramedics at the scene managed to restart his heart and we are very grateful for that because it gave us the opportunity to say goodbye and donate his organs. The treatment he received in hospital was outstanding, with such care and dignity. Because has was donating organs he stayed on life support for longer than he would have done otherwise, and all his friends and family were able to say goodbye. His death was really peaceful and very respectful. Tracy held one hand and I held the other as the ventilator was turned off, so we were there at the exact moment that he passed.

“We were given a choice of whether to go to theatre with him or not, which we chose to do and actually found comforting. Every care and attention was given to us as well as Josh, and the organ donation nurses were incredible and so compassionate.

“When we saw him in the Chapel of Rest afterwards he looked exactly the same.”

Josh, who lived in Stannington, Sheffield, was described by his family as a friendly, happy-go-lucky boy who was a supportive and caring friend. He was an avid Blades fan and a keen fisherman, who once caught a 51 pound sturgeon.

“Much to his dad’s disgust, because he never caught one!” joked Claire.

“He was a hard-worker and wanted to save for a car, so he did a milk-round before school and then got a job at McDonald’s.

“He had even more friends than we thought, and about 70 people came to say goodbye to him at hospital.

“He was a good brother to his sister Olivia, and they spent a lot of time together growing up and going on seaside holidays.

“He loved wine gums and giant strawbs sweets, and his favourite saying was ‘keep it lemon’ so this has become a symbol of remembrance with friends having lemon tattoos and car stickers, his parents having a lemon tree and his mum, sister and myself all having lemon charms on our bracelets to honour him.

“We all miss him very, very much.”

The family have an Order of St John Award at home, which is awarded by invitation to families whose loved ones donated their organs, and honours the donor after their death. They also have a recording of Josh’s heartbeat in a memory bear.

On the first anniversary of his death they held a memorial walk, and attend an annual memorial service at the National Memorial Arboretum.

They said they hoped their experience would encourage others to become organ donors and discuss their wishes with their family and friends.

“Please talk about it,” Claire said.

“Young people don’t discuss it because they don’t expect to go out and not come back, but it is so important. We are so glad that Josh was able to help others. We are so proud of him. He is our hero.”

For more information about organ donation and how to confirm your decision, please visit: Home - NHS Organ Donation

ENDS

Photos: Josh Atkins, and Josh with his mum Tracy, dad Gavin and sister Olivia

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