A LEOMINSTER organ transplant recipient has organised a golfing contest to raise both awareness and money for the transplant unit that saved her life.

Dedicated to helping make life-changing organ transplants possible for those in urgent need is Jan Lockett who, after suffering two heart attacks within just a couple of months whilst in her thirties, was diagnosed with heart, kidney and liver failure and was told that she was in desperate need of a heart transplant, with only weeks to live.

Mrs Lockett, who received her new heart in a 10-hour operation at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital in November 2011, is now a committed fundraiser and organ donation campaigner.

"I'm doing it to try and pay back for the gift I've been given," Mrs Lockett said.

"The team in Birmingham do an incredible job, and I wanted this donation to go specifically to the transplant team rather than the hospital's wider umbrella charity.

In the UK, there are currently around 6000 people on the transplant waiting list and three people die each day in need of an organ transplant.

Whilst the Government has indicated that a new opt-out system for organ donation may be in place from April 2020, at present only 37 per cent of the UK population have registered as donors.

Determined to change these statistics, Mrs Lockett now organises, supports and promotes events and speaks on radio shows and at conferences.

The Jan Lockett Heart Transplant Challenge Cup Golf Day, in aid of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, will be held at Leominster Golf Club on May 23 and 24, with entry costing £25 per person

To take part, or if you'd like to sponsor one of the Challenge Cup's 18 holes, contact Jan Lockett on 07702385205 or jana4a4@aol.co.uk