Mint Velvet Founder Recounts Devastation After Son's Fatal Cycling Accident

Liz Houghton, co-founder of the fashion brand Mint Velvet, has spoken about the profound grief she experienced after her 20-year-old son, Will, died in a cycling accident. Houghton recounted the moment she was told her son's injuries were unsurvivable after he was hit by a car while cycling in Wickham, Hampshire, in January 2016.

Recalling the incident on Davina McCall's podcast, Begin Again, Houghton described how she was at work when her husband called to inform her that Will had been in an accident. Initially, she thought it was a minor incident, as Will, an avid cyclist, had fallen off his bike before. However, the arrival of the police signaled a more serious situation.

She was escorted by police to Southampton Hospital, where a doctor informed her that Will's head injuries were beyond recovery. Houghton described this moment as a complete breakdown, stating, "this noise just came out of me and I just literally crumbled." She explained that the word "unsurvivable" signified not just damage, but a lack of hope for his survival, shattering her world instantly.

Will was struck by a car driven by Jeanette Smith, 69, who later pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. Smith was given a 12-month community order and disqualified from driving for a year. At the time, she told magistrates she had been blinded by the sun.

In a tribute following the sentencing, Liz and Richard Houghton described their son as a "loving, passionate, driven and wonderful son" who was "handsome, motivated and fun." They expressed deep grief, noting that his new racing bike, delivered two weeks after his death, would remain unused and that his ambition to become a professional cyclist would go unfulfilled.

Following Will's death, it was revealed he had been an organ donor. His organs, including his eyes, heart, bones, and skin, were donated to more than a dozen individuals. One recipient, a father in his 50s, was able to come off dialysis thanks to a donated kidney, while a child's life was saved by a portion of his liver.

Houghton stated in 2019 that she insisted on using as much of her son's body as possible for donation, saying, "He looked perfect; not a scratch or bruise on him. I wanted literally everything to be used." She added that Will would have wanted to know he made a difference and saved lives.

Amidst her grief, Liz Houghton launched the initiative "Don't Forget The Donor" in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, facilitating anonymous communication between organ recipients and donor families. The family also established the Will Houghton Foundation to support young people aged 14 to 24 in education and sports. In recognition of her contributions to business and charity, Liz Houghton was awarded an OBE in 2017.