Chris Streat's widow Maria and the couple’s two children, Rosalita and Santino, accepting the Order of St John on his behalf
A Fulham man has been posthumously honoured at an emotional award ceremony attended by his widow and children.
Chris Streat was 42 when he died unexpectedly in October 2021, weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
As a registered organ donor, he has helped five other people to live full lives.
The award – the Order of St John – was accepted on his behalf at a ceremony by his widow, Maria, 40, and the couple’s two children, Rosalita, eight, and Santino, six.
“Christopher was registered as an organ donor, and we had both discussed organ donation over the years with us both being in favour of it,” said Maria.
“Christopher and I had been together since we were 17; we met on holiday as teenagers, and I moved to London to be with him. We travelled and worked all over the world together; he was super funny, adventurous and mischievous.”
The hedge fund manager passed away suddenly. The night before having the scan that revealed the tumour, he had been at football training. He had even been sending work emails the morning before he went to the hospital. Despite surgery, he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
Calm and compassionate
“When I was approached about organ donation, I didn’t hesitate in agreeing, I knew it was what he would have wanted,” said Maria. “Organ donation allowed us more time with Christopher, the children could come and say goodbye and the nurses helped us create a memory box, including taking his handprints and a lock of Christopher’s hair.
“The donor staff were kind, calm and compassionate throughout. They gave us time with Christopher and asked about his favourite music which we could play to him.”
A wonderful man
A wake was held at the Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Peterborough Road, Fulham, in November 2021 following the funeral at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Tynemouth Street.
“Receiving the award on behalf of Christopher was incredibly emotional, but it helped me to explain to the children what a wonderful man their father was and how the gift of his organs helped five people,” added Maria.
More than 4,000 people have donated organs after death in the past three years, leading to 10,000 patients’ lives being saved or transformed.
For more information about organ donation, visit NHS Blood and Transplant.
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