Donor boost in memory of student

Published on 22/02/2013 09:33

STUDENTS at the University of St Andrews have linked up with the NHS to promote awareness of organ donation.

The initiative involving the university’s Organ Donation Society and NHS Blood and Transplant is the first of its kind.

The move was inspired by the death of Alex Richardson, a student at the university who died in 2009 as a result of a fall. He became a multiple organ donor and helped save the lives of four people.

His mother, Annie, said: “Alex loved St Andrews and as a family it seems appropriate to us that the university partnership scheme is being launched here.

“The loss of a child for any family is devastating, but it gives us some comfort that his organs have helped change the lives of four people. The message going forward is: think about the Organ Donation Register, talk about the Organ Donation Register, act and register for the Organ Donation Register.”