NEW figures reveal 40 people from Hampshire became lifesaving organ donors after their death last year, helping the UK to reach its highest ever number of donors.

Figures released by NHS Blood and Transport, showed that there has been a 53% increase in organ donation in the county in the last decade.

The report reveals growing support for organ donation in Hampshire and around the UK. Nationally, there was a record number of organ donors, with 1574 people donating their organs over the last year.

However, more are still needed, with the report stating that three people die a day in need of a donated organ.

There are currently 146 people from Hampshire on the transplant waiting list. There are 20 people in Southampton with only five people donating their organs after death in the city in the last year.

Sally Johnson said: “We need more people aged over 50 in Hampshire to support donation.

“People in older age groups can still save and transform lives through organ and tissue donation. Many more lives could be saved by telling their families they want to donate.”

Those interested in donating their organs after death can join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the families in Hampshire who have chosen to say ‘yes’ to organ donation. Organ donation is the only hope for many desperately ill people. We know many families feel a sense of pride and comfort from their decision to save lives through organ donation. We want more people to have that opportunity.”