A 10-year-old Belfast girl has followed in her late father's footsteps to help bring life-changing surgery to the world’s poorest nations.
Kind-hearted Anna Gray from Belfast lost her father, Dr John Gray, suddenly in July 2019 after he suffered a bleed in the brain.
He then gave the gift of life to several people through organ donation.
Father of three, Dr Gray, was a consultant in the emergency departments of the Ulster and Lagan Valley Hospitals, and a keen supporter of international development charity Mercy Ships, among others.
Anna, who was her "daddy’s princess", decided she wanted to support a charity her dad did to celebrate her 10th birthday and asked her friends to give donations to Mercy Ships – raising £140.
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, including surgery and training to strengthen and support countries in the developing world that need it most.
Anna's mum Sarah said: "John collapsed suddenly while we were on holiday together, July 2019. It was a complete shock as he was a very fit and health conscious man. The children had to raise the alarm for neighbours to call the ambulance while I tried to assess and help him where he lay. This was very distressing for all involved.
"John was the kindest most gentle and humble human you could meet. We met in the ED of the Ulster Hospital Dundonald in 2002. I am an ED Sister there currently and he was an ED consultant there at the time of his death.
"Highly respected by his medical colleagues and a source of strength and wise counsel to all who knew him. He was passionate about many charities but especially those that aim to provide healthcare in some of the poorest places.
"His life was dedicated to helping others less fortunate than himself, no more so than after his sudden death when he was able to give the gift of life to several people through organ donation as this was always his wish. We never expected however that this would happen to him and it remains very difficult for us all."
The Belfast mum added how Anna calls herself her "daddy’s best birthday present ever", how she made him laugh and how he was "delighted by her in every way".
"Anna is a bright, happy, intelligent child and seem to have inherited her father's empathetic nature.
"It would make John very happy to see how Anna and her brothers have coped in his absence and particularly in their capacity to care for others.
“Anna decided she wanted to receive donations for a charity instead of birthday presents. I’m so proud of her.
"It was a bit of a teary moment because John would have been so proud," Sarah added.
Mercy Ships UK Chief Executive Officer Joanne Balaam said: “We are so grateful for Anna’s generosity and kindness to let others benefit from her birthday fundraising.
"This money is enough to pay for six patients to have their first visit to a dentist, where many people cannot get access to dental care. A simple check-up can be life-saving! Thank you so much Anna and thank you to all your friends."
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