A memorial garden dedicated to organ donation was officially opened today in Cardiff, marking a poignant milestone in the ongoing legacy of seven-year-old Fraser Bates, who tragically died in 2015. This event coincides with the tenth anniversary of Wales becoming the first part of the UK to implement an opt-out organ donation system. Fraser’s mother, Anna-Louise Bates, made the heartbreaking decision to donate her son’s organs after his death, which ultimately saved four lives.
On December 20, 2015, the Bates family attended a Christmas party where a tragic accident occurred. While walking home, Fraser and his father, Stuart Bates, were struck by a car driven by a man later convicted of careless driving. Stuart died instantly, while Fraser was transported to a hospital in Bristol, where his injuries proved fatal. In the aftermath of this devastating loss, Anna-Louise founded the Believe charity to raise awareness about organ donation.
The newly established garden in Cardiff Northern Cemetery serves as a reflective space for families impacted by organ donation. Anna-Louise described the process of creating the garden as both overwhelming and fulfilling. At the opening ceremony, she expressed a mixture of emotions and hopes that the garden will provide solace and remembrance for those within the organ donation community.
Among the attendees was Roman, who received Fraser’s heart, along with his mother, Zoe. The garden features a memorial pond and a trail of handprints from notable Welsh figures, such as Ruth Jones, Charlotte Church, and footballer Sophie Ingle, who support the cause as garden ambassadors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase memorial stones inscribed with the names of their loved ones, which can hold a candle.
Wales made history on December 1, 2015, by adopting a “soft” opt-out organ donation system, which presumes consent unless individuals explicitly opt out. Since then, over 2,000 organs have been donated in Wales, according to the Welsh Government. This includes 640 organs from 198 deceased donors, with 550 successfully transplanted.
The initial years following the legislation saw a 15% increase in organ donor consent rates, but recent statistics show a decline to the lowest level in a decade. Anthony Clarkson, director of organ donation and transplant at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), emphasized that while deemed consent has increased the number of available organs, it is not a complete solution to the ongoing gap between organ donation and transplantation.
Clarkson urged the public in Wales to register their organ donation decisions, stressing that the process takes only two minutes but can significantly impact the lives of those in need. As the Believe charity continues its vital work, the legacy of Fraser Bates lives on, inspiring a community dedicated to the gift of life through organ donation.
