Crowdfunding secures lasting memorial for schoolboy who died after being hit by police car
The family of a schoolboy who died after being hit by a police car have finally been able to pay for a headstone to remember him - as he was honoured for donating organs.
In the same month that 15-year-old Streetly Academy pupil Harry-James Kirkham was recognised for donating his organs to three people, the new tombstone was installed at his final resting place at Sutton New Hall Cemetery - eight months on from his death.
But it has only been made possible by members of the public who donated nearly £5,000 - including one pledge from a stranger who gave £2,330.
Mother Dawn Smith, 39 and from Newhome Way, said: "Harry was 15, a schoolboy, and he only had the pocket money which he spent every week.
"He had got no house and no car, I had not got any savings to help pay for his funeral.
"Harry's headstone was just something we couldn't afford.
"We wanted something his friends could go and visit and for his sister and brother to go to.
"There is just no way we could have dreamed of coming up with something like this which I think is spectacular.
"We haven't got Harry, but I could say thank you a million times over for everybody's donation. We are so grateful."
Harry-James died from his injuries after he was hit by the police car while crossing the Sutton New Road in Birmingham on March 18.
Mrs Smith and his father Craig Kirkham agreed for several of his organs to be used in major transplants.
The teenager's heart was given to a man in his 50's, while his pancreas and kidney were given to an ex-nurse in her 30s, who was forced to quit work because of her poor health.
Another lady in her 20s benefited from Harry-James' liver.
Earlier this month Mrs Smith attended a private ceremony at St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, where she received the Order of St John award for Organ Donation on her son's behalf.
"Harry was so loving and kind I know it is something he would have wanted," she said.
"I know one of the girls was a nurse and to think she's hopefully back at work saving the lives of other patients for me is just amazing.
"And to think that Harry's heart is somewhere out there and still beating is brilliant."
Harry's younger brother Maxjimi, aged 13, and sister Brodie, ten, have since signed up to be organ donors.
Mrs Smith added: "I would definitely recommend other people become donors.
"There are so many other lives out there that need help.
"I believe it should be compulsory. I don't think you should have to sign up to it, I think when you are born you should automatically be on the donor list and if for whatever reason you want to come off you can.
"Harry is in my heart I know where he is.
"If Harry's organs can help give other families a few more years together or many, many years together that's just a great thing that people can do."
A total of 1,282 people in the UK donated organs between April 2014 and March 2015 - the first time in 11 years that the number of donors in the UK had decreased from the previous 12 months.
Keith Hunter, chair of the County Priory Group of the Order of St John, said: "With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live.
"We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor."
An inquest concluded that Harry-James died as a result of traumatic brain injury from the collision.
The Independent Police Complaint Commission's investigation into what happened found that there was not a criminal case to answer for the police officer driving the car on the day.
