Through Ryan's death we have been able to give Freya and two other children the gift of life

Ros Pettigrew

However, she has now been readmitted to Birmingham Children's Hospital for more surgery because of "complications".

As well as Ryan's liver being used, his kidneys were given to two other children.

His mother Ros, 45, said the family had been "immensely comforted" by the fact that Ryan's death had helped to save three lives.

She said: "Through Ryan's death we have been able to give Freya and two other children the gift of life.

Ryan Pettigrew wanted to donate his organs

"It would probably not have crossed our minds had Ryan not mentioned it days before his death."

"I would urge other parents to think about organ donation."

NHS regional donor co-ordinator Antony Hooker said: "This gift of life that the family have been able to give is a wonderful thing.

"Ryan saw Freya on TV and was able to speak about it with his parents. This made it easier for them."

Freya was diagnosed as having the bile duct condition biliary atresia at birth and her parents discovered shortly before Christmas that she needed a liver transplant.

After the transplant, Freya's mother Clare urged more people to become donors.

She told the BBC's Midlands Today programme: "Being a donor is such an important thing because it saves people's lives."