THE family of a man who saved the lives of four people through the gift of organ donation has paid tribute to the "gentle giant".

Shaun Adams died on January 21 after he fell down the stairs in his Ferryhill home. He was taken to the intensive care unit at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, but never regained consciousness.

Mr Adams' relatives were not aware he was on the organ donation register until his death. They believe his spirit will now live on through others, creating a lasting legacy.

His cousin, Marie Wilson was inspired by Mr Adams to join the register and is now encouraging others to do the same in his memory.

She said: “He was our gentle giant, we are so proud of him. When we found out he had saved those people we were on a high even though we are devastated and will never get over the loss.

The Northern Echo:

“He lived for his family and was like a brother to me.

“I think people should join the organ donation list because they are going to live on in someone else. I don’t think enough people are organ donors because you don’t think about it.”

Among those to receive the lifesaving donation from Mr Adams was a man in his early 20s who received a double lung transplant and a man in his sixties who received a kidney transplant – after being on the waiting list for more than three years.

The 49-year-old forklift driver became an organ donor in 2000.

Along with family and friends, dozens of his former colleagues at the Argos warehouse in Darlington, attended his funeral at St Luke’s Church, in Ferryhill.

His family said they were honoured by the support shown by them all.

His cousin Sharron Spence said his work colleagues were devastated by the loss.

She said: “Everybody loved him I never heard him raise his voice, he was just so calm.

“I believe in organ donation and think other people should donate because one person can save four people’s lives.”

The family has raised hundreds of pounds in Mr Adams' memory through a donation box at Ferryhill Working Men’s Club.

They will donate the money to James Cook Hospital to thank doctors who treated him.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register or for more information visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk