A loving son, father and carer who died suddenly donated five of his organs to help others.
Twenty-seven-year old Connor Hudson, from Brecon, had his life support machines switched off on Saturday, two days after attempting to take his own life after years of struggling with his mental health. Following his death, five of Connor’s organs were donated to other people, something which is comforting his family.
“That is the best present he could give, for someone to live, and that his heart is still beating in somebody else,” said his mother, Mandi Orton, who described Connor as a caring, gentle and kind young man.
She said he was a doting father to four-year-old Lawson Hudson, who described his dad as his “best boy” and “hero.”
“The one person he always wanted in the world was his dad, Connor was everything to him,” said Mandi.
“Connor always knew the right thing to say, always had a hug to give. We were very close, he was an only child for six years, we were just together for everything, he was my best friend.”
Connor worked as a support worker for children with learning disabilities, which Mandi said brought him so much joy.
“He loved being around children, it was the perfect job for him,” she said.
Mandi explained that Connor has struggled with his mental health since his teenage years.
She said: “He always tried to help other people and that helped him but i think he got to a point where things were just so bleak for him. He knew everyone loved him and cared for him; it was not like he was distant from his friends or family, it was an illness.”
Connor’s mum stressed the importance of treating depression as an illness, and encouraged others in Connor’s position to seek help as he did. Connor’s friend, Charlotte Barrell, has set up a fundraiser in his memory which has raised more than £5,000 since Sunday. The money will go directly to Brecon and District Mind, where Connor often sought help.
Charlotte said: “The first step is to ask someone for help and Mind are a great place to do that. Connor was the life and soul of the party, he put everybody else before himself.”
Mandi explained that seeing the support the fundraiser has received has been a massive boost for them, and is the main thing that has kept them going.
Rob Orton, Connor’s stepfather, said: “I know Con would be so proud of this. Even when he was sad and struggling with life he would always put others before himself. That was just the way he was, he was the most beautiful, caring, loving son you could have wished for and we are so proud to call him our boy.”
Mandi added: “Connor was a dad, a son, a brother, a friend, an uncle, a nephew, a grandson, a great-grandson, carer and boyfriend to his girlfriend Shannon O’Connell, he will be so missed.”
Mandi wants to extend her thanks to the emergency service workers, staff in the intensive care unit at Nevill Hall Hospital and other hospital workers who made the time they spent in hospital with Connor so much easier.
If you wish to make a donation to Brecon and District Mind in Connor’s name, please click here.
