Eight organ donors posthumously honoured in Shropshire
Eight people who gave the ultimate gift of life by donating their organs have been honoured posthumously at an awards ceremony.
The Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, has been presented to the families and loved ones of those who saved and improved people's lives through organ donation.
The private awards ceremony was held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury and the awards were presented by Sir Algernon Eustace Heber-Percy, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire.
People recognised at the ceremony included Philip Maughan, from Church Stretton, who received the award on behalf of his daughter Ayesha Maughan, and Diane Parsons, from Telford, who received the accolade on behalf of her husband David Parsons.
NHS Blood and Transplant and the Order of St John are keen to recognise the gift that donors and their families have made by donating their organs to give hope and save and improve the lives of others.
Last year, between April 2014 and March 2015, the number of deceased organ donors in the UK dropped for the first time in 11 years.
Despite this fall, the Order of St John honours the 1,282 people in the UK who donated their organs after death, leading to thousands of patients' lives being saved or transformed.
Now NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for others to be inspired by this selfless act.
David Davies, chairman of the County Priory Group of the Order of St John, said: "We're delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the Organ Donor Awards for a third year.
"Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is also vitally important to say thank you to the families whose loved ones have already donated their organs to assist others.
"With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live."
Sally Johnson, director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the pride and experiences shared by the hundreds of families who have accepted the award on their loved one's behalf. It never ceases to amaze me just how humble people are when you speak to them about having helped to save the lives of patients who were desperately ill."
