People who gave the ultimate gift of life through organ donation have been honoured posthumously at an award ceremony in Winchester.
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.
This included Eric Carey-Holt from Totland Bay, whose award was received on his behalf by his wife, Sheila (pictured). Eric, a former college lecturer, donated his organs which went on to help 5 other people.
The private award ceremony was held at The Guildhall on 30th October 2015 with the awards presented by Tim Weale, Chair of the Hampshire County Priory Group of the Order of St John.
There was a total of 12 award recipients, with 11 presented at the ceremony in Winchester. They included:
• Shirley Blackmore from Christchurch, Dorset, who received the award on behalf of her son James Blackmore
• Stuart Hobson from Walderton near Chichester, who received the award on behalf of his wife Lynne Hobson
• Pauline Holmes from Southampton, who received the award on behalf of her son Russell Holmes
• Jacqueline Lawrie from Beckenham, who received the award on behalf of her daughter Beth Lawrie
• Sue Tarn from Bishops Green, who received the award on behalf of her husband Bill Tarn;
• Emma Weston from Winchester, who received the award on behalf of her daughter Lara Weston
• Mitche and Ginny Roberts from Paices Hill, Aldermaston, who received the award on behalf of their son Eathan
• Lesley and Trevor Price from Billingshurst, West Sussex, who received the award on behalf of their daughter Milly
• Sheila Carey-Holt from Totland Bay, Isle of Wight, who received the award on behalf of her husband Eric
An award was sent by post to the family of Allegra Whittome of Alresford.
NHS Blood and Transplant and the Order of St John are keen to recognise the incredible 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. NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for others to be inspired by this selfless act. Everyone in the UK is urged to discuss organ donation with their families and share their decision about what they would do if called on to donate.
Tim Weale Chair of the Hampshire County Priory Group of the Order of St John, said:
“We are 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 important that this is not only acknowledged but also that the families, on behalf of their loved ones who have made this gift of life, are thanked.
“With approximately as many as three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs for transplant, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live. We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor.”
To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323.
Featured photograph: Sheila Carey-Holt (L) and her sister, Anne Davidson
