Leeds school champions organ donation

Cockburn School set up a charity in 2014 in memory of 15-year-old pupil Kyle Asquith, whose organs saved the lives of five people after he died.

Now teachers at the school are championing new resources from NHS Blood and Transplant, to carry out organ donation lessons for teenagers.

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant director of organ donation and transplantation, said: “With thousands of people in need of a transplant, we need to make sure everyone understands the need for more organ donors.

“We believe education has a vital role to play in addressing people’s concerns about organ donation.

“Our research has highlighted the important role young people can play in stimulating discussion and debate in the family.”

The NHS hopes the lessons, linked to the national curriculum, will help raise awareness among pupils at the school and prompt them to discuss organ donation with family and friends.

Cockburn School in Beeston started the Kyle Asquith Foundation to fundraise for NHS Blood and Transplant after he suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage in 2013, aged 15.

More than £6,000 has been raised through the foundation with support from Kyle’s family and parents, Tracy and Alex, for the organisation.

The education packs are aimed at pupils aged 14-16 and include lesson plans, fact sheets and videos recorded with donors and patients.