IS there a more generous act than to give someone the gift of life?

That is in effect what happens when someone makes an organ donation.

Whether the individual signs up to the NHS Organ Donor Register, or their family choose to donate their organs following their death, it is a very special thing to do, and can be comforting to loved ones left behind in times of grief.

York pensioner Walter Stockdale can vouch for that. The retired GP has had a successful kidney transplant at the age of 75 – following an organ donation from a 71-year-old woman.

Almost one year on and Walter’s life has been transformed. Before the transplant, he was in kidney failure, brought on by blood pressure problems. He was tired and breathless and less able to go walking with his wife, Pauline.

Recently, the couple have just enjoyed a walking holiday in the Lake District.

He is sharing his story today because he wants to encourage more people to sign the donor register – which is as easy as logging online or making a phone call. He particularly wants to raise the issue that age is no bar to becoming a donor, pointing out his was a woman in her seventies.

And he was moved by our story of 27-year-old York woman Karyn McColl, who has suffered kidney failure since childhood and requires a third transplant after her two previous ones failed.

We cannot stress how simple it is to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Why not sign up today and encourage friends and family to do the same.