Victory for YEP-backed Be A Hero organ donor drive as Leeds Rhinos fans sign up to NHS register

A Leeds superhero has beaten the likes of Spiderman and Ironman to the finish line while spreading the word about organ donation among sports fans.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2016, 13:57 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2016, 05:46 BST
The Be A Hero mascot joins other mascots and superheroes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.The Be A Hero mascot joins other mascots and superheroes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
The Be A Hero mascot joins other mascots and superheroes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

The Lycra-clad Be A Hero mascot, who was flying the flag for the YEP-backed donation drive, took centre stage to win a superhero-studded race on the pitch at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Monday as part of a Leeds Rhinos family day.

The speedy mascot also joined campaign supporters to raise awareness of the need for people to sign the NHS Organ Donor Register during the First Utility Super League defeat to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

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More than 50 sports fans signed the register at the event, with many more taking home leaflets and sharing their thoughts on organ donation.

The Be A Hero mascot races other mascots and superheroes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.The Be A Hero mascot races other mascots and superheroes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
The Be A Hero mascot races other mascots and superheroes at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Dr Catherine Penrose, consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which is behind Be A Hero, said; “The response from fans was incredible and we’re thrilled so many people took the time to come and speak to us, sign the donor register and share their thoughts around the topic of donation.

“It’s important that people take the time to speak to their families about their wishes with regards to donation as in the event of your death, they will be asked to give consent to donate your organs. It was remarkable to hear so many families discussing their wishes with us.”

Around 42,000 Yorkshire residents signed the register within the first five months of Be A Hero. The campaign launched after it emerged that just 29 Leeds families donated organs in 2014 as around 800 people in the county awaited crucial transplants.

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Currently only one in three people in Yorkshire are on the organ donor register, which allows you to state your wish to donate your organs to others after death and takes just minutes to join online or over the phone.

To sign the register through Be A Hero visit leedsth.nhs.uk/be-a-hero or call 0300 1232323 quoting Yorkshire’s Be A Hero campaign.

Related topics:Leeds RhinosLeedsNHSLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustYorkshire