STAFF of a Kendal secondary school have rallied together to give a major boost to The Westmorland Gazette’s Gift of Life campaign.

Thirty-six teachers, support assistants and finance team from Queen Katherine School, Kendal, have signed up - almost a third of the school’s staff.

Head teacher Steve Wilkinson has been a strong supporter of the Gazette’s campaign since its launch in May.

“I am fully supportive of the campaign to encourage more organ donors. I always carry my donor card with me and have, from a very early age, been a blood donor too.

“Having required a considerable amount of blood to keep me alive during major surgery, I too need to be grateful to those who helped save my life. What greater gift can there be to another human being?” he said: Shaun Addison, finance officer, said he had always intended on signing up but had never quite got round to it.

“It’s one of those things that you think about, but never quite do. The Gazette’s campaign was an ideal opportunity for us all at the school to sign up.”

Governor Beth Curl said she was pleased the school had been able to show such strong support for the campaign.

“I was already signed up to the register and think that being on the organ donor register is very worthwhile. I am pleased so many members of the school staff signed up.”

Readers are continuing to send in their completed organ register forms.

The campaign aims to tackle the huge shortage of organ donors in the region by encouraging as many people as possible to donate their organs after their death.

If you would like to sign up to the organ donor campaign visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/RegistrationForm.do.