A MOTHER whose son died six years ago saw her wish come true when she met the man his donor heart saved in a "completely coincidental" moment.

In the "one-off situation" Freda Carter said that she came across her son's anonymous transplant recipient at a memorial service in Jesmond, Newcastle and became "hysterical" when she realised who he was.

Mrs Carter and her husband John lost their son, also John, to a brain tumour when he was 33, and gave permission for some of his organs, including his heart, to be donated.

All they were given was the recipient's first name, Scott, and when Mrs Carter saw a Scott listed to sing at a memorial service for organ donors last November, she said her maternal instinct kicked in and she knew it was him.

"When I sat down and and turned the page on the order of service and saw his name there, a strange feeling came over me," the 66-year-old from Sunderland said.

"I knew he was the recipient of John's heart.

"It was irrational as Scott is a common name and he could have been anywhere in the country. I was completely hysterical. I couldn't breathe and I started making a massive scene. I think it must have been maternal instinct."

Scott Rutherford, who was 14 when he underwent the transplant, said he was "eternally grateful" for the donation, and allowed Mrs Carter to feel her son's beating heart.

Daughter Julie Carter, 43, said it had always been her mother's wish before she died to meet the boy who had received the heart.

She said: "The boy wanted to say thanks to us and it was very emotional for all involved.

"One of my mam's dying wishes was to touch John's heart and she put her hands on the lad's chest to feel it."

Lynn Holt, heart and lung transplant co-ordinator at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, said the situation was very unusual.

"This case is a one-off situation because it was completely coincidental as Scott was a guest speaker at a service where John's family were attending.

"I know that Scott was so happy that he got to meet the family, even if it was such an unusual situation."

Mr Rutherford, 20, now works as an actor and said: "I am unbelievably thankful to John and his family for everything that they have done for me.

"The difference in my health is amazing. My heartbeat is so strong that it keeps me awake at night."