MP pays tribute to local councillor and urges others to become organ donors

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has paid tribute to Chris Hogg, the deputy mayor of Kendal, who will give his wife Rachael one of his kidneys later this year. Tim has also urged local people to look at becoming organ donors

A few years ago The Westmorland Gazette launched the Gift Of Life campaign to encourage as many people as possible to register to donate their organs. According to figures from December 2014, 51 people in Cumbria are on the transplant waiting list waiting for an organ. To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or text SAVE to 62323. Once you've signed up tell those closest to you that you want to donate.

Speaking today Tim said, "Chris is not just a good friend and a fantastic local councillor - he is a wonderful husband and dad. It is really humbling to see him give up an organ for a loved one.

"I also want to pay tribute to the campaign run by the Westmorland Gazette a few years ago which worked brilliantly in raising awareness of the need for more organ donors and at encouraging people to sign up to the register to help save thousands of lives. We must keep raising the issue and urging people to become done - that simple act to help save another person's life."