12 October 2018
The Order of St John combined forces with the National Health Service for Blood and Transplant to honour the families of people that have given life and hope to others through organ donation with an afternoon tea and awards presentation. There are currently about 3 people dying every day due to the shortage of organs and there are about 6,400 people, young and old, on the transplant waiting list. The ceremony was attended by more than 30 families who, in the moments of immense grief, generously gave their organs to unknown individuals. County Chairman Simon Darwall-Smith (pictured on the right of the exhibition panel) and HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE presented the award memento which features the organ donation heart logo, backed by the Maltese Cross of the Order of St John above the words “Add life, give hope” and a certificate from the Grand Prior of the Order of St John, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. Members of the NHS Blood and Transplant shown here in blue uniforms helped each of the families as they made their decisions on behalf of their loved ones. Those in green uniforms are staff from the St John Ambulance Service. The Order of St John is a Royal Charity and can trace its roots back over 900 years. It is the parent of St John Ambulance, the nation’s leading first aid charity which voluntarily delivers 16 million hours a year of first aid, care, education and training in the community.