A LLANELLI family has spoken of the comfort of knowing a mum has saved seven lives since dying.

Caroline Simon worked as a full-time carer before her life was cruelly cut short by a brain haemorrhage last October — but her passing did not put a stop to her helping others.

Her sister Catrin Hall has spoken to the Post of the family's immense pride in knowing that Caroline has helped save seven lives through donating her organs.

Describing the devastating loss of her sister Mrs Hall said: "She was always fit and healthy but she went to bed with a headache and never woke up again.

"She had a massive haemorrhage. She was only 42 and she had her whole life ahead of her."

Catrin said that it was in the former Ysgol y Stradey pupil's nature to help others.

She added: "She has four sons who were her life — as long as they were okay that was all she worried about. She was a fantastic mother.

"One of her sons is severely disabled and needs 24-hour care. She devoted herself to taking care of him."

Caroline, who lived in Bryn Road with her sons and partner, also cared for her friends.

"She was the type of person who would do anything for anybody," said Mrs Hall.

"She would try to solve everyone's problems and always put herself last."

Mrs Hall has taken the brave step of talking about her loss in order that others may think about following her sister's lead.

Explaining the moment they gave the green light to the transplant team Mrs Hall said: "The transplant team was fantastic, before, during and after, they never put any pressure on us.

"We are such a close family and it's something that we had spoken about in the past.

"We knew straight away that it was what she wanted.

"It's hard at the time, your head is everywhere, but as time goes on you realise that something positive has come out of it all.

"It makes you breathe a bit easier."

And the family has found some comfort in the mum's unselfishness. "In a way she is living on through helping others have a better quality of life and in some cases actual life itself.

"As a family we take great comfort from that," her sister said.

"It is the one good thing to come out of such tragedy. We are immensely proud of her."

Now the family is urging others to follow their lead.

"We are all on the register and I would urge anyone to sign up," said Mrs Hall.

"If anyone was in a situation where they needed a transplant they would take it but they don't often think of it the other way around and agree to donate their organs.

"People don't want to think about death, they don't want to talk about it — they think it will never happen to them," she added.

Loraine Hill, donor transplant co-ordinator team leader for South Wales, said the family should be very proud of the life-giving difference Caroline had made.

She said: "Losing Caroline, a mother of four, at such a young age was a terrible tragedy and nothing can compensate for the loss of a daughter, mother and loved one.

"The brave decision that Caroline's family made to donate her organs has saved the lives of seven other people and for this extraordinary act her children, family and loved ones can be extremely proud."

To join the organ donor register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk call 0300 123 2323 or text DONATE to 84880.