A former Sheppey comp pupil who died suddenly is being remembered as a “superhero” by his family after his decision to donate his organs saved the lives of five people.

Barry Chessell collapsed on Friday, September 11, at his home in Sunderland after he had come home from his job as a forklift operator.

The 32-year-old was taken to hospital where scans revealed he had suffered a brain haemorrhage and would never regain consciousness.

He was kept on life support to preserve his organs until the following day when the machine was switched off.

His heart, lungs, liver and both kidneys were donated to five people.

Barry was known to his family as Eyeball, a name given to him by his father because he was born with one eye open.

He spent most of his life on the Island after his family moved here from London in 1990. He met his wife, Gemma, who lives in Sunderland, while she was waiting at a bus stop outside his flat in Minster.

He decided to move up north nine years ago to be with her.

They had two children Leah, nine, and Callum, six.

Barry also leaves his brothers Ian, Tony and Lee, parents, Barry and Lin, and eight nieces and nephews, all of whom live on Sheppey.

Land Rover enthusiast Barry never got round to getting his driving licence and signed up to the organ donor register when making his application. He was due to have his first lesson the Monday after his death.

His wife was unaware he had opted to donate his organs but after learning about his wishes she allowed doctors to act.

His brother Ian Chessell said it made him proud to think of Barry’s life-saving donation.

He said: “He has got two young kids and his family have been telling them he’s a superhero. That’s the heartbreaking thing.

“Whenever someone dies people always say he was the best ever but Barry was, you know. He was genuine.

“He was very much liked up in Sunderland and there were floods of people leaving messages on Facebook.

“The sympathies and thoughts from people were overwhelming. I just can’t believe it.”

A fundraising page set up to help towards the cost of the funeral with a £1,000 target reached £2,800.

Two Sunderland funeral directors also came forward to offer their services for free for the service, which was held on Monday.

Because of Barry’s and his brothers’ love for the vehicles, a black Land Rover was organised as a hearse which was followed by a convoy of drivers from the North East Rovers Owners club.