A MUM whose teen son saved six lives when he died after suffering from a freak sneezing fit is taking part in the World Transplant Games with the man who has his heart.

Suzanne Andrews' son Liam, 17, developed a clot on the brain after sneezing six times in a row and spent four days in intensive care before he died in June 2013.

But he became a hero when he saved six lives through donating his heart, pancreas, kidneys and liver - which was split in two.

His heart was donated to dad-of-two Alex Bell, 53, from Jesmond, Newcastle, who was extremely ill with only five per cent heart function.

This week, both Mr Bell and Ms Andrews, 41, have taken part in the World Transplant Games, held in Newcastle.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Bell has been completing in badminton and table tennis for Team Great Britain while Ms Andrews, from Stockton-on-Tees, has been representing the UK donor families as a team leader.

Mr Bell said: "Getting to know Suzanne and her family is very emotional. She gave me a gift which I can never return.

"Keeping myself alive is my way of showing that their decision is the right one."

He added: "I'm living proof that organ donation works.

"It's fantastic to be able to share this experience with Suzanne and her family because I get to see the outcome of the decision they made.

"We have become very close friends and I like to think that I now have part of her DNA. If Liam had a family I would be that family.

"This week has been manic but whatever time we spend together is great."

Shortly before the tragedy, fit and healthy Liam had applied for a provisional driving licence and filled in a form agreeing to donate all his organs in the event of his death.

His death came completely out of the blue after he suffered a severe sneezing fit which led to a brain haemorrhage.

The Northern Echo:

Ms Andrews, who is also mum to Amy, 22, Elliott, 18, Erin, 14, Lewis, eight, and Evie, six, said: "I love being in Alex's company.

"He loves life like Liam did and he makes the most of extra time and the new life he has been given.

"This week in particular it's really hit home that lots of people wouldn't be here if it wasn't for donor families and it's involves one decision.

"I have found it absolutely heart-warming.

"There's no differentiation between what country your from, what your background is, what transplant you have had, whether your a donor family or a living donor, everybody is just here together.

"For me it's a sense of family that I never expected to have.

"I couldn't be more proud of being a donor mum right now.

"Liam would have loved the atmosphere and the fact that everybody's here making the most of life."

Two years after Liam's death Me Bell's son Matt, then 12, wrote to Suzanne thanking her for donating Liam's heart and saving his dad's life.

However, Ms Andrews could not find the words to reply until she spotted a newspaper article featuring Mr Bell last summer and realised he was the recipient of her son's heart.

She sent Mr Bell a Facebook message asking if he would like to meet up and the pair have now became close friends.

Mr Bell, who works as a lawyer, said: "When I met Suzanne I remember pulling up in the car park and I saw Suzanne there. There was no words exchanged, I just gave her a big hug. She was trembling and so was I.

"We sat down and introduced ourselves rather formally and then we chatted for the next two hours. All Suzanne wanted to do was tell me everything about Liam.

"When Suzanne contacted me on Facebook it was certainly a surprise that she had found me. But it was not a bad surprise, it was a good surprise. I wouldn't have it any other way now."

Ms Andrews added: "I found Alex on the five year anniversary of Liam's passing. It just felt like it was meant to be. I do still think it's crazy.

"When I met Alex for the first time I was incredibly nervous. I did have worries about whether he would like me. But as soon as I saw him that just changed completely. He's a real, sweet, genuine guy."