A WIDOW has called for a new system to be set up which presumes people are happy to donate their organs after their death.

She made the call after her late husband was posthumously honoured for saving the lives of others.

After he died, David Knight’s organs went to three people and other organs, which could not be transplanted, were used in research in organ transportation.

The dad of two had registered as a donor before his sudden death from a brain haemorrhage at the age of 69.

His widow, Sara Knight, 60, from Great Maplestead, recalls the three hours she spent at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, while Mr Knight was kept on a life support machine as matches for his organs were found. She said: “They were phoning around different hospitals to see who could use what and when.

“Then they got all these hospitals ready to receive the organs before he could go down to theatre. It was lovely, because I had three hours of his company that I otherwise wouldn’t have had.

“The nurses were brilliant, so kind and sensitive.

“To know his death had benefited others was a source of comfort for all of us.”

Mrs Knight, who lectures in education at Anglia Ruskin University, recently received a new award, created by the Order of St John alongside NHS Blood and Transplant, in recognition of her late husband’s donations.

However, at the ceremony in County Hall, Chelmsford, she was surprised at how few people had donated organs.

Mrs Knight said: “It was shocking to go to the ceremony because there were six families represented, but they said these families represented 50 per cent of successful donations in Essex.

“I think we should have an opt-out system rather than an opt in. It should be done as a matter of course.”

Under an opt-out system, it is assumed that consent for someone’s organs to be donated is automatically given, and if someone does not want their organs donated, they have to opt out.

! To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.

organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 1232323 or text SAVE to 62323.