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Tragic dad's gift of sight
A tragic dad has given the gift of sight to four people following his sudden death from pneumonia at the age of just 37.
Simon Pritchard was admitted into Chesterfield Royal Hospital in April following a long illness.
But the dad-of-one, who had his left lung removed six years ago after catching TB, died in the Royal after contracting bronchial pneumonia.
His death came as a huge shock to his family, who believed he was on the mend.
Simon's mum, Kath Pritchard, (60), of Tansley Way, Inkersall, said: "He died in Chesterfield Royal Hospital where he had been for all that time.
"He had five weeks on the ward and seven weeks in intensive care and had turned a corner.
"They had taken him back on a ward, then he got this pneumonia. He couldn't have had any better care in there. They were fabulous.
"Everyone that visited him said he had come out of it or was doing better, so it's still a big shock."
But four people have received transplant material that has helped save their sight thanks to Simon, who carried a donor card and made family and doctors aware of his wishes.
Over 500 was also collected during his funeral which will be split equally between the Royal's intensive care unit and Ashgate Hospice.
Simon, who enjoyed watching sport on TV - especially motor racing — was a keen Manchester United fan.
He had leased a number of pubs in Boston, Lincolnshire, and had also worked as assistant manager at Chesterfield's Sandpiper hotel, as well as working part-time at the Hollingwood Hotel.
The divorcee, who had been living at the family home in Inkersall since February, also leaves his dad Roy, ten-year-old daughter Bethany, stepdad Mick and brother Steve.
Cremation has taken place.
nicola.smith@derbyshiretimes.co.uk
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Weather for Chesterfield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
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