Daughter of Leeds man who saved lives through organ donation after M621 death backs new 'Opt-out' law

John Rangeley, 47, was hit by an articulated lorry near to junction three of the M621 at 5.02am on Monday November 4.

He was rushed by ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary where doctors told his family he had just a 10 per cent chance of survival.

'Hard-working family man' John sadly died after a brave battle against his injuries.

He donated his liver and kidneys, saving at least three people's lives.

Most adults in England are now automatically considered organ donors, after a change in legislation which was brought about thanks to campaigning by a young boy who got a new heart from a nine-year-old girl who died after a car crash.

Max and Keira's law sees a shift to an opt-out system, whereby those aged 18 and over are deemed to have given consent to donate their own organs when they die, unless they explicitly state otherwise or are in an excluded group.

The new law came into force on May 20.

Now, John's daughter Chloe Rangeley, 20, has bravely spoken to the Yorkshire Evening Post and said she '100 per cent' backs the new law.

Chloe said she joined the organ register voluntarily a few years ago and has persuaded a lot of her family and friends to do the same.

She told the YEP how donating her dad's organs brought her family comfort and made losing him 'that little bit easier to deal with'.

Chloe, a carer, said: "I joined the donor register a few years back and even persuaded a lot of friends and family members to do the same.

"I think the news is brilliant, everyone should be on the register.

"I have heard people say 'they wouldn't want anything of mine because of health issues' however organs don't always go to recipients, they are also sent for research which can only save even more lives.

"This happened with one of my dad's kidneys as when they took it out they realised it was too damaged so it was sent for research."

Chloe said 'only good' can come from the new law.

She added: "It made losing our dad that little bit easier to deal with knowing he helped other people.

"There is also a sense of pride as I am so proud he managed to help other people."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday: "Today we celebrate a milestone for organ donation as we move to a new system of deemed consent in England which will mean hundreds more lives could be transformed each year.

"I want to pay tribute to Max, Keira and everyone else who campaigned for this change."

The law change has been widely welcomed by charities including the British Heart Foundation and Kidney Care UK.

A similar law was introduced in Wales in 2015, while Scotland is due to have such a measure in place by autumn 2020.

Northern Ireland continues to have an opt-in system.

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