A LIVERPOOL dad whose partially-sighted son inspired him to join the organ donor register saved the lives of six people desperately awaiting transplants.

Dad-of-five Barry Corner, 41, died in hospital after suddenly collapsing from a brain aneurysm.

But the Everton bricklayer’s harrowing death, which happened while he was carrying shopping for his disabled mum, was not in vain.

His organs were used to give six others a fresh chance of life – including two critically ill newborn babies and a Liverpool man clinging on to life after heart failure.

Eight months on from Barry’s death in June last year his heartbroken family today spoke of their pride.

Partner Paula Forrest, 47, said Barry signed up to the register for their son Joseph, 11, who was born with a degenerative eye condition which will eventually leave him blind.

She said: “We knew that one day he would probably need a transplant. Organ donation was something we had talked about because of Joseph’s condition.

“We thought if we can help someone, maybe someone can help Joseph. I’m really, really proud of Barry. We all are. We miss him every day. He was a fantastic father.

“But even though he is gone, we feel that he still lives on through the lives he has saved.”

Barry, dad to Joseph and Hannah, nine, and step-dad to Danielle, 27, Kimberley, 24 and Thomas, 22, was fit and healthy when the brain aneurysm struck. His heart was revived at the scene but he died in hospital.

Stepson Thomas said: “There were no symptoms, he just dropped dead.

“When the nurse mentioned that he was carrying a donor card I was the only one in the family against it. I just said no.

“But the doctors told me more about it and I agreed.