People who became organ donors at London hospitals were posthumously honoured at a moving award ceremony.

They received the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, which was given to their families and loved ones on their behalf.

The private award ceremony was held at the Priory Church of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell in October 2018.

Hundreds of families are receiving the award at regional ceremonies held across the UK between September and December. The awards recognise the 1,574 people who donated their organs after death last year, leading to thousands of patients' lives being saved or transformed.

Bimlar Parmar from Hayes became a lifesaving organ donor when she died of a brain haemorrhage aged 68.

She collapsed in the bathroom and brains scans at Hillingdon Hospital confirmed she would not recover. Her family were approached about donation by a specialist nurse from NHS Blood and Transplant.

Her daughter Gurpreet Parmar, 39, who lived with her in Hayes, said: “My mum was not on the NHS Organ Donor Register but my siblings and I were fine with it as we believed someone else should be helped by our loss.

“I personally had registered to be a donor a long time ago as I want to help someone else once I am gone.

“Mum was able to donate her lungs, kidneys and liver to four people aged in their 50s and 60s.”

Gurpreet added: “She was retired and had worked at Alpha Catering for over 40 years with an amazing track record. She had awards for long service and no sick days!

“She was religious and loved by everyone. Happy and with a beautiful soul. So many people came to her funeral which showed how loved she was by her friends.”

The family are Sikhs with an Indian background and they are aware of the need for more Asian donors.

Organs are matched by blood group and tissue type and people from the same ethnic background are more likely to be a match.

However there is a shortage of Asian donors. Last year, 42% of Black and Asian families agreed to donate their relative’s organs, compared to 66% of families from the overall population. In London, 47% of Black and Asian families donated.

Gurpreet, who works as head of conferences for a software company in the city of London, said: “Why not give the gift of life to someone?

“I hope more of my generation and younger educate the elders to sign up to donate and explain what their gift can mean to a family seeing their loved one struggle on a daily basis. I do hope my story will make Asians sign up to donate!”

Gurpreet said the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation was a really lovely gesture. She said: “The deceased deserve to be honoured for helping someone live a life that could be cut short any day without donation.”

During 2017/18, thanks to the generosity of these donors and the support of their families, the number of deceased donors in the UK went up from 1,413 to 1,574, a rise of 11% and the highest number ever in the UK. There are now more than 25m people on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

However there are still around 6100 people on the UK transplant waiting list and around three people die each day in need of an organ.

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for people in London to be inspired by the actions of the donors honoured at this ceremony. Everyone in the UK is urged to tell their family they want to save lives through organ donation. One day it could be someone you love, or even you, in need of a transplant.

Tony Shepherd, Head of County Priory Group Affairs for the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with NHS Blood and Transplant to run the Organ Donor Awards for a sixth year and to meet the inspirational families attending the ceremonies. Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is a genuine privilege to be able to say thank you to these families, whose loved ones have already donated their organs to save other people’s lives.

“People are still dying every day because some families are not talking about donation. We hope the example set by the organ donors whose lives we are honouring encourages many others to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. It only takes two minutes to join the millions of other people who want to save lives.”

Anthony Clarkson, Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The pride families feel at these ceremonies is inspirational. Transplant patients tell us that organ donors and their families are heroes. This award is a chance for us all to recognise their bravery and generosity, and their amazing contribution to society.

“More and more people are supporting organ donation but there is still an urgent shortage of donors. We hope these awards will inspire other people to tell their families they want to save lives.

Telling your family what you want makes things easier at a difficult time. Families tell us donation is a source of pride that helps families in their grieving process and we don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to donate.

“Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation.”

The award memento features the organ donation heart logo backed by the Maltese Cross - which is used by the Order of St John - above the words ‘add life, give hope’.

The award can be received at a regional ceremony or sent to the family privately. This is the sixth year the awards have been made. They are open to people of all faiths or of no faith.

To be an organ donor see www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.