Liz Houghton, co-founder of the fashion brand Mint Velvet, has bravely recounted the moment she learned her 20-year-old son, Will, would not survive a car accident. The incident occurred in January 2016 when Will was cycling along the A32 in Wickham, Hampshire, and was struck by a vehicle driven by 69-year-old Jeanette Smith.
Houghton was at work when her husband called to inform her of Will's accident. Initially, she assumed it was a minor incident, as Will was an avid cyclist and had fallen off his bike before. However, the subsequent call from the police indicating they were coming to collect her signaled a more serious situation.
Upon arrival at Southampton Hospital, Houghton was met by a doctor who informed her that Will's head injuries were unsurvivable. She described the moment as one where she "just crumbled," a profound grief she had previously dismissed as dramatic when seen on television.
"This noise just came out of me and I just literally crumbled, because 'unsurvivable' is not even he might have some sort of damage - he's not going to live," she recalled during an emotional conversation on Davina McCall's podcast, Begin Again.
Jeanette Smith later pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. She told magistrates she had been blinded by the sun at the time of the accident. Smith received a 12-month community order and was disqualified from driving for 12 months, also being ordered to pay £165 in costs and fines.
Following Will's death, his parents released a statement describing their deep grief for their son, whom they remembered as "handsome, motivated and fun." They noted his passion for cycling and his ambition to become a professional cyclist, a dream that would remain unfulfilled.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Houghton revealed that Will had been an organ donor. His organs, including his eyes, heart, bones, and skin, went on to save or improve the lives of more than a dozen individuals. One recipient, a father in his 50s, was able to come off dialysis thanks to a kidney transplant, while a child received part of Will's liver.
"He looked perfect; not a scratch or bruise on him. I wanted literally everything to be used," Houghton said in a 2019 interview, emphasizing her son's desire to make a difference.
Even amidst her grief, Houghton launched the initiative "Don't Forget The Donor" in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant. This program facilitates anonymous communication between organ recipients and the families of donors. The family also established the Will Houghton Foundation, which supports young people aged 14 to 24 through education and sport.
Liz Houghton was awarded an OBE in 2017 for her contributions to business and charity.