JOSEPH McMahon was just 15 when he died in a collision involving his bike and a double-decker bus.

His devastated mum Bernadette, from Hawkesley, thought that nothing could ease her pain – but found solace when she recalled a conversation with her son on the subject of organ donation.

“When my mum and my sister died the year before I spoke about organ donation with Joe and he said it was a good idea,” she said.

“My mum was Catholic and old-fashioned, she didn’t think it was right. I’m so glad I spoke to Joe so I could carry out his wishes.”

Joseph’s organs helped save the lives of four complete strangers.

One of them was also a boy of 15 with a damaged liver and Bernadette said she hoped to have some contact with him when he turned 18 next year.

Speaking ahead of the second anniversary of her son’s death tomorrow, Bernadette said: “When Joseph died I thought: ‘If someone had offered me something to keep him alive I would have taken it.’ So how could someone in my position not think about it?

“I haven’t had any contact from the families he helped but it was a comfort knowing some good had come out of a tragedy.

“There was one young lad, I feel more connected to him and would like to have some contact but I have to wait until he is 18.