Young Chesterfield dad who took his own life gave gift of life to others by donating organs

Shaun Gibbs, who was described as ‘the nicest, kindest person there ever was’, tragically took his own life in June last year after a battle with depression.

On his death, aged just 29, Shaun donated his organs so others could live.

His heart still beats in the body of a 40-year-old woman, while his kidneys were given to men who had been on the organ donor register for years.

Shaun’s mum, Glynis Millward, has now launched a fundraising campaign to pay for a new headstone to mark his resting place.

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“He had been suffering depression for quite a while but he hid just how badly it had really eaten away at his mind and his life,” Glynis said.

“Everything became too much for him, his relationship breakdown, being away from his children that were his whole world, the loss of his best friend and confidante to cancer in such a short time, work and most of all his family falling apart.”

Glynis says Shaun was ‘crying out for help’ in the months before his death but was ‘failed’ by mental health services.

“He left his family devastated but most of all he left his two children without their daddy,” she said. “I need to raise money now to purchase his headstone to mark his resting place.

“I want his children to know and be able to find where their daddy is buried and for anyone that couldn’t make it to his funeral or who cannot find his grave to be able to pay their respects.”

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On Shaun’s death, Glynis fulfilled her son’s wishes by donating his organs so others could live.

“My son donated all that he owned so please find it within you to donate to get him a headstone in honour of what he has done for others,” she said.

Glynis says all donations will be ‘gratefully appreciated’ and passed on thanks from herself, Shaun’s brother John and his twin sister Steph, his children Bradley and Willow, his nephew Jack and nieces Paige and Aria.

To make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page.