WHEN Mark Turner was struck by a car and killed in Spain last October, his family made the difficult decision to donate his organs.

Although distraught by the death of 18-year-old Mark, the Turner family made the painful choice so that others might live. Now the man who received Mark's lungs is in training for the World Transplant games next summer.

It is a fitting tribute to Mark, who is desperately missed by his family who have been able to find some comfort from knowing others have been helped.

The family, from Grasmere Grove in Frindsbury, near Strood, made the heart-wrenching decision to make his organs available for donation after flying out to be with their son after he received fatal injuries while holidaying with friends in Malaga.

Last month, Philomena Turner was moved to receive a handwritten letter from one of the three Spanish men that her son'' organs helped to save.

Juan Francisco had spent three months in intensive care with a diabetes-related kidney illness before MarkÕs donation saved his life.

He wrote: "My family and I will always be grateful for your decision and wish you all the love and tenderness in this world. We hope you can overcome your current pain and carry on. I want to express my great thanks for your generosity in taking such a painful decision at that very difficult moment."

Mr Francisco, who married in April last year, said he is now over the worst of his problems. The Carlos Moya Hospital also informed the family what happened to the other two Spanish men who received Mark's organs.

The man who received Mark's lungs conitunes to enjoy good health, and is training to swim in World Transplant games, to be held in France next summer. Sadly, a third man who received a liver transplant, later died after his body rejected the new organ.

Mrs Turner said: "As a family we are all feeling a lot stronger now. Having read this very special letter, it has made us realise just how much of a great gift we have given, and that our precious boy did not die in vain.

"I was very moved by the letter, and it's wonderful to think that Mark has saved other people's lives."