A plaque in honour of organ donors has been unveiled on behalf of the Harrogate Network for Organ Donation Support in the town’s Valley Gardens.
The group was formed to offer support to those waiting for a transplant or following the procedure, as well as their families.
The plaque is in recognition of donors and their families for giving the “gift of life”. Following the new opt-out system the group hopes more people will be able to receive organs.
One of the group’s founding members, Kerry Morrison, whose daughter Lynda received a heart transplant 25 years ago, said:
“The plaque is going to be a lovely place for donor families and recipients to come and reflect – it’s somewhere really special. I think it’ll become a focal point for recipients.
“The support group is there to help with the shock that comes from needing a transplant.
“I hope the plaque will stimulate the need to talk about donation with families to learn if it is something they agree to.”
It is hoped this plaque will give donor families and recipients somewhere to come and reflect.
The plaque has been mounted onto a lime tree above the playground in Valley Gardens. The Mayor and Mayoress of the Harrogate Borough, Stuart and April Martin, were invited to unveil the plaque to group members and families.
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David Kinder, a heart transplant recipient and member of Harrogate NODS, said:
“I was very nervous before my transplant and it would have been good to know there was a group such as ours. I’ll be going there on the anniversary of my transplant, I need somewhere to thank my donor.
“Most people might want to donate but never got round to it, but now you’re in until you opt out and hopefully that’ll be fantastic for people on the waiting list.”
