TRAGIC BOXER SAVES 7 LIVES
Star, 31, who died after bout was organ donor
DANGER SIGN
Scott winces in pain during interview after his victory
BOXER Scott Westgarth saved seven lives through organ donation.
The 31-year-old died within hours of winning a fight in February. Mum Rebecca, 58, said: “He helped people right to the end.”
SCOTT Westgarth’s grieving mum has spoken of her pride that her loving and selfless son is still helping others even after his death.
Rebecca, 58, revealed the boxer’s organs have been given to seven people.
“He always stuck up for the underdog, he would help anybody. He was so kind, happy, brave,” she said.
“Now I want people to remember not just the boxer, but the man that he was.”
Scott, 31, held his head in clear discomfort during ringside interviews after winning a fight in February.
He was taken to hospital that night and died the next day. He apparently suffered a bleed on the brain.
Rebecca, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, had rushed from her home to be by her son’s side in hospital in Sheffield.
She said: “I did not realise but he had put his name down three times on the organ donor list.
“When I went to see him in hospital, I was giving him kisses and I put my hand on his heart and it was so strong.
“I just thought ‘whoever is getting his heart is going to be so lucky’.
“They told me seven people had been saved. He helped people right to the end of his life, that was how he was. He would help anybody.”
She added: “His death was such a traumatic thing to go through as it would be for any mother...
“I said to my mum ‘the joy has gone
out of my life’. And she said ‘that’s exactly what your dad said’.”
But the fact Scott saved so many lives through organ donation has been some consolation to the family.
Rebecca has also been comforted by her memories of “such a lovely man”.
She said: “He bought me a stereo with his first wage packet.”
Rebecca added: “He made me laugh all the time, he was a ray of sunshine.”
And she does not want boxing to be banned. “It does so much good for so many young people. It keeps them on the right track. I know Scott would have felt the same way,” she explained. “I just cannot believe I am never, ever going to see him again.”
A Go Fund Me page was set up in Scott’s memory – and has raised almost £9,000 for his family so far. Rebecca thanked everyone who donated, as well as the hundreds of people who sent messages of support to his loved ones, including his brothers Lewis, 21, and Adam, 35, and sister Bethannie, 24.
Scott, who was born in Hexham, Northumberland, worked as a personal trainer and chef while pursuing his boxing career.
The light-heavyweight earnt a shot at the English title with the tough win on points over compatriot Dec Spelman five weeks ago.
Scott was knocked down in the final round but got back to his feet to claim the biggest victory of his career.
Within seconds of the 10-round bout finishing, he told of being in the sport purely for the love of it.
The modest boxer said at ringside at the Doncaster Dome in South Yorkshire: “I do this for fun not because I think I’m a world class fighter.
“I’m glad we could put on a show and keep everyone entertained.
“It’s a case of being able to take one to give one sometimes.
“I just do boxing because I enjoy it, that’s the only reason I do it.
“I enjoy going to the gym with the lads, and I train regardless – win, lose or draw.” Scott, who lived with partner Natalie Kerr, 33, in Penistone, South Yorks, died at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in nearby Sheffield.
The cause of death has not been confirmed, and an inquest is likely to be held. His heart was among the organs donated.
His opponent Dec said he was “devastated” by the death, describing Scott as “such a nice guy”.
Scott began boxing in 2009, turning professional in 2013. His record was seven wins, two losses and a draw.
Bethannie paid a moving tribute to her “big brother, my best friend, my idol and my hero”.
She said on Facebook: “I will not remember you by the last few hours I spent with you, but I will remember you from all the amazing and happy memories we share.”
I kissed him & put my hand on his heart. It was so strong. Whoever gets it is very lucky MUM REBECCA ON BEING AT SCOTT’S SIDE IN HOSPITAL
His mum Rebecca is right to be immensely proud of her brave 31-year-old son whose donated organs have let others live on.
Scott never recovered from a bleed to the brain inflicted in the ring but his amazing example should inspire us all.
We should also be proud of his family who, despite their grief, made sure Scott’s wishes were honoured.
Thanks to the Daily Mirror’s campaign and Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson’s Parliamentary bill there will soon be a Max’s Law. This will presume in England the dead have consented to donate organs, unless they opt out. This already happens in Wales and Scotland.
But loved ones will still need to agree or, at least, not raise an objection.
People who never met Scott Westgarth owe him and his family a huge debt of gratitude. The boxer and his relatives did what was right. This is the true spirit of Easter.