Derry biker with ‘heart of gold’ helps others live on

The wife of a Derry man who sadly passed away in July has revealed that his donated organs have saved the lives of three people.

Shaun Kelly (pictured), from Ardnamoyle Park in Shantallow, was 45-years-old when he suddenly passed away in Altnagelvin Hospital in July after suffering two massive heart attacks.

Shaun was a motorcycle enthusiast and a member of local club, The Exiles.

He was well-known locally for his generosity and worked alongside Bikers for Charity, who organised events such as giving Easter eggs to Ardnashee School and College at Belmont as well as a “toy run” for Altnagelvin Hospital’s Children’s Ward.

Bikers from across Ireland came to pay their respects at his funeral.

After Shaun’s death, his 25-year-old nephew, Martin Gallagher, decided to run the Derry Half-Marathon in his memory to raise funds for the intensive care unit at Altnagelvin.

The Gallagher family, including Shaun’s three daughters, Dearbhla, Caitlin, and Caoimhe, and his nephew Martin, handed over the cheque at the hospital on Friday.

Shaun’s wife, Sharon, revealed his organs had now saved the lives of three people.

“Organ donation was something we had to discuss as a family,” she said.

“It was such a hard decision to donate his organs but we made the right one to help others. We often think on the recipients and hope they are doing well.”

Sharon added: “We wish them the best of luck in their recovery; we were informed that a man in his 60s got his kidney, a man in his 60s got his liver and a fellow in his 20s got the other kidney.

“His organs went on to save the lives of three people, and it was good that in his death he was helping others.

“Afterwards, friends and family signed on to the organ donor register as a mark of respect to Shaun.”