A WOMAN whose husband died in Barnsley Hospital has received an award after he donated his organs to help save the lives of others.
Victoria Beever, from Denby Dale, received the award from health charity The Sovereign Order of St John, in honour of her husband Charles, who died of a stroke in February, aged 44.
He donated his heart, kidneys and pancreas to three separate donors.
Victoria was presented with a certificate and a St John cross by Tim Hare, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, at an event at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield organised by NHS Blood and Transplant.
She attended with her mother Margaret Christian and Charles’s parents Robert and Christine Beever.
Victoria said: "I have always been passionate about organ donation, and in discussing it with Charles he said that he wanted to donate his organs too to help others.
"I was so proud to accept the award on Charles’s behalf. Although he lost his life he has given a great gift to others."
She encouraged others to donate, saying it was vitally important the right organs are available.
Jane Tute, specialist nurse organ donation at Barnsley Hospital, said: "It was wonderful to see Charles honoured in this way.
"You never know whose life you could be saving by coming forward and joining the organ donation register.
"There's a national shortage of organs and it's really important that people come forward.
"Approximately three people die each day on the transplant waiting list. To save lives, more people need to sign on the organ donor register, and discuss their wishes with loved ones."
