A HEART transplant recipient who has devoted her career to the NHS in gratitude for her care is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her life-saving surgery.

Emma Thompson, a healthcare assistant in the orthopaedic outpatients department at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, was among the first people to receive a donated heart at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, which launched its transplant programme in 1985.

As a toddler, she had been unable to chew or sit unsupported due to a congenital heart condition, and ahead of the operation when she was aged three, her parents were terrified, despite having complete faith in the surgeons.

Miss Thompson, of Stokesley, said: "After the transplant my parents were told by the doctors to go home and enjoy the time they would have with me - in the early days of the service they didn't know how it was going to pan out.

"I had a very normal childhood and managed to hit every milestone, so I want to highlight how amazing our NHS is.

"My care has always been incredible and the people at the Freeman Hospital I love like my family."

She said after working in childcare, she decided she wanted to give something back to the NHS for the care she had received.

The former Stokesley School pupil said: "Now I work in a hospital, I see how stressful it can be behind the scenes and know what they are feeling in general terms as I have been through it."

Ahead of staging an event with family and friends to raise funds for the Children's Heart Unit Fund and the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association to mark the anniversary of her transplant this weekend, Miss Thompson issued an appeal for people to sign up to the organ donation register.

Miss Thompson said: "There is a massive shortfall of donors, but it's the best gift you can give.

"I can't get my head around the decision of the family who donated the heart to me, as when a child dies their parents don't want anything to harm or touch them.

"I think about them every single day, thankfulness doesn't even come close."

For details about signing up to the organ donation register, visit organdonation.nhs.uk and to donate to the Miss Thompson's fundraising appeals, visit justgiving.com/Emma-Thompson56 and justgiving.com/Emma-Thompson57