A MOTORBIKE racer from Otley has been posthumously honoured for providing a life-saving organ donation.

Gavin Lupton died from a crash he suffered during the Ulster Grand Prix on August 10, 2017 when he came off his bike in the Dundrod 150 challenge race.

The 37 year old was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he was treated for critical injuries and was left in a coma. He died at the hospital a few days later, on August 21.

Mr Lupton's family has now received the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation on his behalf which was presented at a private ceremony at Wakefield Town Hall.

His widow, Hannah, said: "The medical team at the Royal Victoria Hospital had advised that, due to the swelling of his brain, it was likely he would either pass away whilst in a coma or be kept alive with assisted breathing via a machine.

"In the end Gavin passed away peacefully one night which was a blessing, as he never wanted to be kept alive with the aid of machines or be left seriously impaired for the rest of his life.

"Gavin’s consultant advised us that he had joined the organ donor register. We had discussed that he wanted to be a donor in the past but I was shocked that he had actually joined the register.

"All Gavin’s organs were donated except his corneas.

"I am so proud of my husband. It is comforting to know that even in his death he was able to help people.

"I have had a letter from the kidney recipient and the heart recipient and it has brought me so much peace knowing that he is living on in other people whilst also giving them a gift of life."

Mr Lupton, also known as ‘Luppy’, had been competing at the Ulster Grand Prix since 2015 and was a popular and experienced rider.

The Order of St John Award for Organ Donation is run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant. Awards were presented to hundreds of families between September and December, 2018 in recognition of all those who donated their organs after death during 2017.

NHS Blood and Transplant is hoping people will be inspired by their example. Interim Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, Anthony Clarkson, said: "Transplant patients tell us that organ donors and their families are heroes.

"More and more people are supporting organ donation but there is still an urgent shortage of donors. Please join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation."