Norris Green school caretaker Brian Collins's family launch fundraising appeal in his memory

Mar 12 2013 by Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo

THE memory of a caretaker who collapsed and died while gritting his school playground is to live on after his family launched a fundraising drive in his name.

Brian Collins suffered a fatal heart attack while tackling the snowy grounds of St Teresa of Lisieux primary school, in Norris Green, on January 18.

His funeral on January 29 took place on the day Brian, affectionately known as “Mr Brian” by pupils, was supposed to have had a potentially life-saving transplant using a kidney donated by Sue, his wife of 33 years.

Brian lived next door to the school and the dedicated 57-year-old would fit his duties around his daily dialysis.

And today Sue, 53, said she was so touched by the support Brian and his loved ones received at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital that the family had launched a fundraising appeal.

All money raised will go to the kidney unit where Brian was treated and was due to have his transplant to ensure future patients and their families have the best quality of service and care.

She told the ECHO: “We just felt the need to give something back due to the way they treated Brian for 15 years or so.

“Everything they did was such a comfort and they treated us like we were part of the family rather than a patient and there was always someone available to listen to you.”

Sue, who said she has been “overwhelmed” with the way the community has rallied round, said she hoped her story would also remind people that kidney donations do not have to be from people who have passed away.