THE LATE ROAD RACER Gavin ‘Luppy’ Lupton has been posthumously honoured after his organs were used to save multiple lives.
Lupton, from Otley, died following a crash in the Dundrod 150 challenge race at the Ulster Grand Prix on August 10, 2017.
The 37-year-old suffered critical injuries in the crash and was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast were he spend a few days in coma, before passing away on August 21.
His family has now been presented the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation on his behalf during a private ceremony at Wakefield Town Hall.
Speaking to the Telegraph and Argus his widow Hannah said: "The medical team at the Royal Victoria Hospital had advised that, due to the swelling of his brain, it was likely he would either pass away whilst in a coma or be kept alive with assisted breathing via a machine.
"In the end Gavin passed away peacefully one night which was a blessing, as he never wanted to be kept alive with the aid of machines or be left seriously impaired for the rest of his life.
"Gavin’s consultant advised us that he had joined the organ donor register. We had discussed that he wanted to be a donor in the past but I was shocked that he had actually joined the register.
"All of Gavin’s organs were donated except his corneas.
"I am so proud of my husband. It is comforting to know that even in his death he was able to help people.
"I have had a letter from the kidney recipient and the heart recipient and it has brought me so much peace knowing that he is living on in other people whilst also giving them a gift of life."
Run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant service, the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation Awards have been presented to hundreds of families in recognition of all those who donated their organs after death during 2017.
Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, Anthony Clarkson, commented: "Transplant patients tell us that organ donors and their families are heroes.
However, he added, despite automatic enrolment (with an opt out option) now included in many government administrative procedures, such as applying for a driving licence, there is still a shortage of donors.
"More and more people are supporting organ donation but there is still an urgent shortage of donors,” he plead. “Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation."
