Heartbroken Portsmouth family says brave Imogen is helping to save lives as an organ donor

Talented schoolgirl Imogen Mead, of Buckland, Portsmouth, passed away on Sunday, July 31, after being struck down with the disease just two days before.

And now her family – overwhelmed by the support they have received – have revealed they decided to make Imogen an organ donor, due to her ‘loving and giving nature’ and ability to touch people’s hearts.

Imogen’s mother Debbie Mead, father Ray and Imogen’s brother Curtis said in a statement to The News: ‘We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our broken hearts.

‘Your kind words, love and generosity has been a huge comfort in our situation.

‘Tragedy to us but none less than a saviour to others....Imogen has given the gift of life to others by becoming an organ donor.

‘This was no hard decision for us due to her loving and giving nature.

‘Now we not only pray for her but for those other families who have new hope with their loved ones.

‘Special thanks to all the staff at Picu (Southampton Hospital) and Naomi House.’

The family are also being supported by Meningitis Now as well as charities Mrs Mead works and volunteers for; Banardos and Simon Says.

And events are being planned in memory of Imogen to raise money for the different charities.

Imogen’s school friends at St John’s Cathedral Catholic School are this week coming together to remember her and prepare for her funeral, while the school also plans to hold a charity event in her memory.

Friends and family members are pushing themselves to the limit in upcoming runs and there’s also a charity cake bake-off in the pipeline. As reported, youngsters who knew Imogen at performing group The Young Creatives Portsmouth sang a poignant version of James Bay’s Hold Back The River at the Chaos Support charity’s annual summer fete in Havant, six days after her death. They also released heart and star-shaped balloons into the sky in her memory.

Public Health England south-east said antibiotics have been given to people  who were in close contact with Imogen in the lead-up to her death to minimise  the risk of meningitis infection.