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Loving Dartford dad and organ donor Ashley Cartwrigh’s final gift of life

A steel fitter who gave the gift of life through organ donation has been honoured posthumously at an award ceremony.

Ashley Cartwright, 52, from Dartford, suffered a heart attack at work in March last year and died later in hospital.

His organs and tissues have been used to save and transform the lives of nine other people.

A Dartford steel fitter who gave the ultimate gift of life through organ donation has been honoured posthumously at an award ceremony at the Priory Church of the Order of St John
A Dartford steel fitter who gave the ultimate gift of life through organ donation has been honoured posthumously at an award ceremony at the Priory Church of the Order of St John

His wife Fiona and youngest daughter Rebecca this week attended the Order of St John award for organ donation ceremony, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant.

Fiona, who was a St John Ambulance volunteer with the charity’s Farningham unit for 20 years, said: “When I asked the hospital staff if Ashley’s organs could be donated they told me he was already registered as a donor, which I didn’t even know about.

“It makes such a difference to know something good has come out of his death and that he’s helped so many other people.”

She received the award – displaying the words “Add life, give hope” – from Stephen Foakes, a member of the Order of St John and Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London.

He said: “I am greatly honoured and privileged to be making the awards for the second year in recognition of all those who have helped others in this way.”

Hundreds of families are attending regional ceremonies across the UK between September and December to receive the award in memory of their loved ones.

Two ceremonies will be held in London for 54 award recipients and another 21 recipients will receive their awards by post.

Last year, between April 2014 and March 2015, the number of deceased organ donors in the UK dropped for the first time in 11 years. Despite this fall, the Order of St John honours the 1,282 people in the UK who donated their organs after death, leading to thousands of patients’ lives being saved or transformed.

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for others to be inspired by this selfless act.

Fiona Cartwright receiving her award from Stephen Foakes
Fiona Cartwright receiving her award from Stephen Foakes

Ann Cable, a member of the London County Priory Group of the Order of St John, who has organised the London ceremonies with NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with NHSBT to run the Organ Donor Awards for a third year.

“Organ donation can clearly save lives and it is also vitally important to say thank you to the families whose loved ones have already donated their organs to assist others.

“With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act.

“We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor.”

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