In September 2023, STV’s Scotland Tonight filmed a documentary with Colin Gray, as he received the incredible gift of a heart transplant.
Colin had been living with advanced heart disease – and the operation undoubtedly saved his life.
As he recovered, he was desperate to find his donor’s family, to thank them for giving him a second chance at life.
Little did he know, Robert Meiklem had watched that documentary on STV, and had a gut instinct that Colin had received his son’s heart.
Robbie’s legacy
Robert MeiklemRobbie Meiklem was just 19 when he died.
His dad, Robert, described Robbie as a “normal, happy-go-lucky teenager” who excelled at football, and was loved by everyone who met him.
Robert says he never would have expected Robbie to try to take his own life.
In an emotional interview, he recounted his last memory with his son.
“We went to the races, the whole family was there. It was a great day. I can remember the Japanese Grand Prix was on the next morning, and at about 7 o’clock at night, Robbie said ‘we need to go home because we need to get up early to watch the race’. We loved the Grand Prix.
“The last time I saw Robbie, he was just chasing my cat around the kitchen. And then my whole world turned upside down in a space of ten minutes. I got up to go to the toilet and I couldn’t find him. I shouted for him. And then I found him. My whole world just turned upside down.”
STV NewsRobert battled to save Robbie, and did CPR for 12 minutes.
“I think the last thing I remember was the paramedic who tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘we’ll take over now’. And he said ‘well done, you’ve got a heartbeat’. I thought I’d saved my son’s life. But ultimately, Robbie passed away, [after suffering] a lack of oxygen to his brain. It’s devastating.”
Whilst trying to come to terms with their shock and grief, Robbie’s family decided they would donate his organs.
They later learned that they had gone to five people across the UK.
‘My son’s heart beats on in the nicest guy I’ve ever met’
STV NewsIn the weeks and months after Robbie’s death, Robert struggled to cope.
His sister suggested he watch an STV documentary about organ donation, as she thought it might bring him some comfort.
Robert explained: “I decided to watch it on my big TV. Then I watched it again, then again. Then I phoned my sister and said ‘I think that’s my son’s heart on the TV.’ And she thought I was just being emotional and upset. And she said, ‘why would you think that?’
“So I decided to become this sleuth detective and trace down the guy that was in the documentary. And eventually I found out it was a guy called Colin.”
After months of conversation, Robert and Colin received official confirmation that Colin had indeed received Robbie’s heart.
STV NewsRecalling that moment, Robert said: “I was just elated. I just wanted to meet him after that. So ultimately, there’s something really totally negative. He’s a big positive in my life right now. A major positive. Because I know my son’s heart beats on in the nicest guy I’ve ever met. It really beats on strong.
“That’s the reason why Colin’s here, for what I’d done that night. Folk keep telling me that, but that doesn’t bring Robbie back.
“It’s a hard one. You’re somewhere between reality and some other world, because you’re thinking, ‘I want my son back.’ But I’ve done good. Robbie’s done good. Colin’s doing well.”
STV NewsColin said learning about Robbie has been really emotional.
“Just hearing the stories… what an amazing guy Robbie was. Sometimes, although my recovery is going well, on days when I’m feeling a bit down, it just drives me on.”
Robert has now thrown himself into charity work. He has raised thousands of pounds, and is dedicated to improving awareness of mental health problems.
He said: “I’ve met so many nice people going through the same stuff I’m going through. But unless it’s happened to you, you don’t know.
“So that’s my life now. Until the day I die, I’m going to keep going. Keep campaigning.
“I need a drive, a purpose to keep this going, because every time I wake up, every morning of my life, I’m doing it for Robbie. But not only for him, to try and stop it happening to somebody else.
“I’m going to carry this scar for the rest of my life, but I don’t want it to drag me down. I’ve been in the darkness, I don’t like it. I’m trying to get a positive foot in there. And if he is looking down and saying, ‘I’m proud of you, Dad’, then… good.”
‘He carries Robbie now – Robbie carries him’
Robert MeiklemRobert has received a huge amount of support from Robbie’s former football teams.
Earlier this year, Colin travelled from Inverness to present a memorial trophy at Somerset Park, home of Robbie’s club Ayr United.
Robert said: “It was like having Robbie there presenting the trophy as well as Colin. That was so big for me because it was really emotional for me to see him presenting that trophy. That was actually Robbie presenting that trophy as well. I know it’s Colin, but it was also Robbie.”
Robert and Colin now see each other as brothers, and are totally united in their mission to carry on Robbie’s legacy.
Robert explained: “We sit and talk on the phone quite often, because he’s got a big weight on his shoulders as well. He carries Robbie now, Robbie carries him, so he’s a big part of everything we do now, and I just want him to be a part of it.
“What he said to me is ‘I had a clapped out Ford Fiesta heart, and now I’ve got a Ferrari in me’. Which is basically true. He has got a Ferrari.”
Watch the full programme, Scotland Tonight: Robbie’s Legacy, at 8:30pm tonight on STV and the STV Player.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
