A little boy who died suddenly has given the gift of life to four people.
Luca Giovannini, aged five, passed away just 24 hours after complaining he felt sick.
His parents Vickie and Renzo then made the decision to donate some of their son's organs for transplant.
They were given to a two-year-old girl, a two-year-old boy, a 35-year-old mother-of-two and a 34-year-old man.
Renzo, of Wilcott Road, Gatley, Stockport, said: "When the medics were trying to save Luca’s life, I asked a doctor what his chances were of surviving, and he said we were looking at the worst-case scenario.
"It's a scenario which no parent wants to be faced with, but it was at that stage that we discussed organ donation.
"We mentioned it to the ward matron that we would like him considered for donation because we wanted something positive to come out of this.
"We send Luca's organs with love to all these people, especially to the little girl who they told us was just days away from dying. She is now expected to leave hospital on Friday and be home in time for Christmas," said Renzo, a financial adviser
"Luca did a lot of things in his short life whereas these two children have never been out of hospital and now hopefully they will get the chance to live similar lives."
Luca fell ill at 4am on November 14 and died at 7am the next day.
Renzo, 38, said: "One week we were thinking about buying Luca his Christmas present and the next we were looking for a grave for him.
"He was such a lively lad who never sat still and he had such a sunny disposition and was a very happy little boy."
Luca was taken by ambulance from Wythenshawe Hospital to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where doctors battled in vain to save his life.
Medics are yet to confirm the cause of his death but believe he may have had a rare reaction to the usually-treatable Epstein-Barr virus, which causes the brain to swell.
Luca, who also leaves a brother Leo, two, enjoyed gymnastics
His teacher Janet Ayling at St Hugh's RC Primary in Timperley, said: "Somehow Luca's love of life and his spirit will live on in all of us. He will leave a legacy for all of us to follow – his beautiful smile, his gentle nature, and his whole happy being will never be forgotten."
An inquest has been opened and adjourned. Luca’s funeral was taking place today.
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This story puts EVERYTHING in to perspective!
RIP young man I am sure that you will never be forgotten !
and sincere condolances to his entire family at this extremely sad time !
Sorry for your loss! It was both brave and generous of you to decide to help others when still dealing with this heartache.
What an unselfish act of kindness to allow Luca to provide the chance of life to others
What a heartbreaking story, what a decision to make when your child is not expected to live. It's a shame that more families don't agree to organ donation as it would make such a difference. RIP Luca
what a fantastic decision by his parents at such a distressing time, they know that his death was not in vain. But has helped to keep 4 more peopled alive.
It must have taken great strength for the family to do this after such a tragedy. You have given the gift of life to these people and you are a credit to Luca.
Rest in Peace Luca.
xx
wonderful decision in your time of heartache,should be rightly proud
An extremely brave and loving thing to do. Your son looks like a wonderful young boy, you are obviously a very special family. Out of something heartbreaking, you have found the courage to think of others. Amazing.
Rest in Peace Luca, a special boy, with very special parents.
Take care.
What a brave and loving family you are,you have not only helped the people directly involved in the organ donation you have rekindled mine and many others faith in human nature. Thankyou. God Bless.
R.I.P. with the angels, Luca. What a great family.
A heartbreaking but beautiful story about human compassion and our love for each other.
R.I.P Luca , we donated our sons organs 14 years ago after he was killed in a road accident, it does ease the pain knowing that he did not die in vain and left the wonderfull gift of life to others. my heart goes out to this young lads family .
I cannot imagine the pain and heartache the family are going through, yet the selflessness they have shown in donating their sons organs to help others is inspiring. If only more people were like this. My condolences to the loss of your beautiful little boy, may his memory live on!
An amazingly brave decision at a time of great grief. I hope that these parents are blessed in the future for their great kindness.
What a very sad, but also heart warming story. Huge respect goes to this very brave family. Rest in peace little lad - what a wonderful family.
He will be smiling down on his great parents, Rest in peace Luca, St Peter has been blessed by receiving this lovely boy!
I'm reading this in New South Wales, Australia. Luca's parents, brother and family are in my prayers.
Gerard Guiton
Alstonville NSW
I am reading this is New South Wales, Australia. Luca's parents, brother and the rest of his family are in my prayers.
Gerard Guiton
Alstonville, NSW
Terrible tragedy,such brave parents.As an organ recepient from a dead donor I can not tell the parents how much they with change the lives of the recepients of the organs from this poor little boy.How courageous!
Luca's family have shown great bravery and strength in such tragic circumstances.
Let us hope the children who have been in hospital recover.
Rest in Peace Luca.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Luca at this terrible time for them, God only knows how they are coping with their tragic loss, One can only hope that the the lives this remarkable little man has saved can offer them some comfort and inspire others. RIP.
Amazing people, Amazing story, RIP Little Luca x
What a beautiful little boy! You must be utterly heartbroken and you have my deepest sympathies. I also commend you on the brave decision to donate Luca's organs so that others might benefit and live.
What an incredibly sad story. Luca looks a cracking lad, and I am truly sorry for your loss.
But the bravery, kindness, and humanity that you showed in making the difficult decision to donate Luca's organs is second to none, and you are a shining example to everyone.
As a parent myself, I can only begin to imagine the deep and dark place that engulfed you at that time. I hope you find comfort in the fact that Luca now lives on in those other people, as well as in your hearts.
God bless Luca, and God bless your family.
What a heartbreaking story. It must have been so difficult to make a huge decision at such a distressing time, but you should feel so proud that someone else has had a chance in life that they may not have had otherwise. It must have took so much courage when your world was shattered. RIP Luca, what a very special little boy xxxx