THE mother of a young transplant patient from Burnley today called for more to be done to raise awareness of organ donations to save lives.

Jean Leach was speaking as it was revealed her daughter Lauren would be competing in the World Transplant Games this summer in Ontario.

The 15-year-old had a liver transplant when just nine months old and Mrs Leach said one of the aims of the games is to raise awareness of organ donations and their success.

She added that when she saw the story of 12-year-old Burnley girl Devon Michelle Lord, who died during a wait for a liver transplant, she was heartbroken and called on people to talk about becoming a donor.

Devon died on Easter Sunday after losing her battle against a hereditary liver disease. Her parents, Anthony and Leslie, of Dunoon Street, now plan to open a horse and donkey sanctuary in memory of the animal-loving youngster.

Mrs Leach, who lives in the Ightenhill area of Burnley, said: "When Lauren was diagnosed as a baby we were devastated. I saw in the paper a 12-year-old girl died from liver disease which was tragic.

"It was heartbreaking.

"I know it's a very difficult subject but if people could see how well people can recover from transplants and see what an active life people can lead it would help."

Lauren, a pupil at St Hilda's RC High School, will be competing in her second World Transplant Games in Canada, starting on July 16.

She will be hoping to retain her haul of five gold medals she won in the 50m breast stroke, 50m freestyle and 50m back stroke, 100m sprint and the high jump she won in France in 2003.

Lauren, needs to raise £1,500 sponsorship to cover travel, accommodation and kit for the games which will see 2,000 athletes compete from 65 countries.

She has also competed in the British Transplant Games last year winning four golds and a silver and two World Winter Transplant games.

Mrs Leach said even though people may carry a donor card next of kin consent still has to be given.

She added: "One of the main aims of the games is to increase people's awareness and getting people to talk about their feelings on organ donation.

"We need to get people to talk about it."