ORGAN donors who have saved lives have been posthumously honoured at a Winchester ceremony.

Hundreds of families, including three from Basingstoke, are receiving the award at regional ceremonies held across the UK between September and December.

One of the recipients was Darlene Durangparang from Basingstoke, who collected the award on behalf of her daughter, Hannah. Hannah was born with complex medical problems that affected her development, and she died aged 10.

Darlene said: “It was nice for Hannah to be honoured. It was a good event; everyone was emotional but it was good for all of the people to be remembered. It’ s a good thing to do. While it may be sad to lose one life, you can help many more.”

Not everyone could attend the awards and some received them through the post. There were two other people from Basingstoke who were honoured; John Miller received the award through the post on behalf of his wife, Eileen, and Dennis Alan Burton collected the award on behalf of his wife Jane.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The sense of pride families feel at these ceremonies is truly inspirational. Everyone I have spoken to is glad that their relative was able to be an organ donor. Families take great comfort from knowing that their loved one went on to save and improve the lives of desperately ill people.”

The private ceremony was held at the Guildhall in Winchester on October 28. The awards recognise the 1,364 people who donated their organs after death in the UK last year.

Recipients received the Order of St John award for Organ Donation, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant. These were presented to the families and loved ones on their behalf.