A GRIEVING father who donated his daughter’s organs following a car crash that also killed his wife is urging people to sign up to the donor register.

Ian Richardson was devastated after his family were involved in an accident last August, which claimed the lives of his wife, Joanne, 40, and six-year-old daughter, Mya.

But the 37-year-old did not hesitate to give the go-ahead to doctors for their organs to be used to help others.

This resulted in four patients receiving successful operations.

More than 1,000 people also signed up to the register after hearing about their story, but Mr Richardson said it was vital more people join.

“It sounds strange, but I felt lucky,” said Mr Richardson, who is telling his story to mark National Transplant Week, which starts today.

“Joanne and I had discussed what we would do if something happened to either of us, so I knew what to do.

“You never expect your children to go first, but when I was asked there was no question in my mind. I knew it was the right thing to do.

“Mya was such a little angel who would go out of her way to help others, so it is nice to know she is still helping others now and giving people an extra chance at life.

“It fills me with such pride.”

A record 3,740 organ transplants took place last year.

The number of people registered stands at 18 million.

But with more than 7,000 on the waiting list and three people dying every day, there is a need for people to sign up.

Mr Richardson added: “I have had my donor card since I was 16. I have no regrets about what I did.”

The family’s car was struck by another vehicle travelling the wrong way on the A1 at Gosforth, Newcastle, on Sunday, August 8, last year.

The family, from Billingham, near Stockton, were travelling home from Mr Richardson’s brother’s wedding in Dundee when the crash happened. Mr Richardson and ten-week-old daughter Ava survived.

To read more about their story and to sign up to the register, visit transplantweek.

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