The family of a teenager who died after being punched in the street have spoken of their pride at his legacy saving “hundreds, if not thousands” of lives.

A year ago, Connor Saunders, 19, was rushed to hospital after being punched outside Tesco Express in West Street, Rottingdean.

The talented footballer of Downsway, Woodingdean, never regained consciousness.

He died after his grieving family agreed to turn off the life-support machine so his organs could be donated to save others.

Twelve months to the day after the attack, his family said they have turned their pain and anguish into running a foundation in Connor’s name.

As he reflected on the death, his uncle Jamie Denyer said he believed hundreds, if not thousands, of lives had been saved thanks to his “unique” nephew.

Mr Denyer said Connor’s legacy includes:

  • Hundreds signed up to organ donation registers,
  • Ten defibrillators bought for local football clubs
  • Fundraising for a sports court in Rottingdean seafront, and
  • The establishment of the Connor Saunders Academy to teach football to disabled and deprived youngsters.

He added: “This year has just been beyond words.

“The work has in no way made things any easier, if anything it has made things worse.

“We know it has been one year since we have seen Connor, heard Connor and hugged Connor.

“It has shown what sort of family he has come from with all the wonderful things that have been done through the foundation – in no way has it healed us.”

Balloon release

Yesterday (April 14) family and friends gathered at Peacehaven Football Club in Piddinghoe Avenue, Peacehaven, at a celebration of Connor’s life.

Local bands played and 26 balloons, to mark the shirt number of Connor’s football hero John Terry, were released into the sky at 5pm.

Information was also available about the Connor Saunders Foundation, the charity set up in his name.

Mr Denyer said the number of people who had signed up to the organ register thanks to influence was into the “high hundreds”.

'Crumb of comfort'

He added: “The actual money raised is hard to put down but what I can say is it’s just absolutely staggering.

“It’s a crumb of comfort but a very small one.

“If Connor was some rogue or troublemaker who no one cared about it would not be as bad.

“But because of the person he was, that’s why the pain is so hard to take.”

As part of his own contribution, Mr Denyer said he was now working with young offenders near his south Wales to raise awareness of the One Punch Ruins Lives campaign.

He added there was a theatre group that wanted to take Connor’s story onto the stage.

Trial

Connor was punched on April 14 last year on a night out with friends.

He and his friends crossed paths with another group of younger teenagers outside Tesco Express.

A 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reason, struck Connor and he suffered massive brain damage when his head hit the floor.

He died a day later.

On the first day of the trial in Hove Crown Court, jurors were told Connor’s death was the result of “a tragic misunderstanding”.

The 14-year-old was cleared of manslaughter in November.

For more details on the charity, visit www.connors5.com.

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