A BLACKBURN man is travelling the country to encourage more people to sign up as organ donors after his sight was saved by a transplant.

Computer consultant Shabbir Lorgat, 29, of Lammack, who received a corneal transplant seven years ago after developing the genetic condition kerataconus, teamed up with friend Komal Adris to form the Organ Donation Campaign, launched in January.

They have already trained 70 medical students to give talks and answer questions on organ donation, and are now planning religious seminars, displays and talks at workplaces, and work with local health trusts.

The campaign has been backed by health minister Ben Bradshaw, and received cross-party support at its launch in the House of Commons.

Mr Lorgat said: “We have 1,000 people dying every year in the UK waiting for organ transplants, with 8,000 people on a waiting list which is constantly growing.

“We only have 26 per cent of the population on the register, and just 13 people in every million actually donating organs, compared to 35 per million in Spain.

“Studies have shown in countries like Spain and the US that talking to people directly and tackling their individual concerns makes a big difference in uptake.

“In my experience, there are people who have a perception that it will be distressing for their families or that their bodies will be disrespected, and we want to tackle those mis-conceptions.”

He added: “There are also people with religious or ethical concerns, but no mainstream religion has said anything against organ donation.

"Most people would take a donated organ, and many have just never got round to getting their names on the register.”