Arriva buses in Medway

A woman who "lived to help others" will live on - after her corneas and tissue were donated to four others after her death.

Louise Friday, 44, lost her battle for life five days after being hit by a bus in Maidstone.

But her family have revealed the caring woman donated body parts so others could benefit after her death.

Sister and brother-in-law Janet and Derek Kemp, of Maidstone, said most of the organs couldn't be donated due to the extent of her injuries.

But they were able to make tissue donations, including her corneas.

Mrs Kemp said: "We know that four people have been helped with their sight already thanks to Louise. It makes sense of her life to know that she is still helping people."

Louise Friday had been leaving her job at The Pippin pub in London Road, when she was hit by the DAF yellow single decker bus just before 2pm on Saturday, April 30.

She lost her battle for life at the Royal London Hospital at 2.45am yesterday.

Now Janet and Derek Kemp have today paid tribute to the woman who they said lived to help others.

Mrs Kemp said: "Louise was a very much-loved sister, friend and auntie to Martin and Robert and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her."

Despite having learning difficulties Miss Friday lived a full and independent life and was well-known in Maidstone both through her work and her involvement in local organisations such as Mencap.

She had worked part-time for Tuck by Truck in Quarry Wood, which employs adults with learning disabilities.

She had a second part-time job in the kitchen at The Pippin pub in London Road, Maidstone, and had been having lunch at the pub on the day of the collision.

Mr Kemp said: "Louise loved both her jobs and would have been a familiar face at many of the businesses in and around Maidstone when dropping off Tuck by Truck's deliveries of sweets and snacks."

Outside work she loved to cook and to help others. Her sister Janet said: "Louise always wanted to help whenever she could and she liked to mother people. She was very sociable and loved dancing."

Miss Friday regularly attended the Maidstone day centre Meadowview and also was an active member of the Butterfly Club, a social club in the town for people with learning difficulties.

She was a member of the West Malling Baptist Church and enjoyed visiting her brother and sister-in-law Stephen and Chris Friday at their home in St Leonards-on-Sea.

Mr and Mrs Kemp also today paid tribute to the Kent Air Ambulance and the Royal London Hospital for the care they had given Miss Friday since the collision.

Mr and Mrs Kemp are joining Kent Police in their appeal for information about the collision and they urged any witnesses to come forward.

Mr Kemp said: "While it will never bring Louise back it would help us to know exactly what happened on Saturday.

"It was a busy afternoon and there would have been a lot of people in the area at the time. I ask anyone who was in London Road to contact Kent Police. Even the smallest piece of information that might seem of no consequence could be very important," he said.

Anyone with information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798 538 orCrimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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