I’ve told the family, it’s Toby doing this – not me
Cornwall in July 2012 – just five days before his 17th birthday.
He had decided to become an organ donor two years earlier.
Sally said: “When he applied for his provisional driving licence, he ticked all the boxes for organ donation and it was a huge help when he died.
“We didn’t even have to think about it. At the hospital we were able to say, ‘You don’t even have to ask because we want him to be an organ donor’.” Insurance broker Martin says he didn’t have a sporting bone in his body before receiving Toby’s kidney.
But he decided to immediately take up a hobby.
Martin added: “I wanted to do something to honour Toby and celebrate getting my life back and just fancied archery as it’s such an inclusive sport.”
Now, he has taken home medals at British, European and World Transplant Games.
He had been put in contact with Sally and Graham via leading transplant charity the Donor Family Network.
In May, Martin was travelling from Scotland to a Team GB gathering when Toby’s parents asked to him meet on impulse. At the meeting, Martin discovered he shared many interests with Toby.
He said: “We’ve discovered all sorts of uncanny similarities. My first holiday after the transplant was to Lake Garda – a place Toby had holidayed.
“Soon after the transplant, I bought a motorbike – unaware that Toby had bought a moped just before he died. When I asked, ‘Out of interest, did Toby ever do archery?’, they looked at each other and said he’d done a course as a child.
“I thought, ‘This is just crazy’. To get a gift like this is amazing. But to have so many coincidences with your donor is even more amazing.” Martin wears an archery armguard bearing Toby’s name, while his quiver belt is inscribed with the words: “For the needs of the many – in honour of Toby.”
Martin added: “I’ve told the family, ‘It’s Toby doing this – not me’. Every time I pick a bow up I’m thinking of him.
“I’m getting word out there to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and encourage people to tell their families about their wishes.”
For information on organ donation, visit www.organ donation.nhs.uk and www. shareyourwishes.co.uk