A NEW campaign has been launched, calling on people of all ages to register as an organ donor this Christmas.

Across the UK there are 6,500 people, including 94 in Gloucestershire, on the transplant waiting list.

A shortage of donors has meant that 35 people in the county have died whilst waiting for a transplant in the last five years.

About a third of people in the UK have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register despite 81 per cent of people saying they support organ donation.

In Gloucestershire 378,599 people have registered their decision to be an organ donor.

Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and Transplant director of organ donation and transplantation, said: “It’s a terrible shame that so many people who want to save lives through organ donation have not taken the next, simple step to register that decision.

“We all have busy lives, yet most of us would admit that we still find ourselves whiling time away and delaying doing important things.

“Signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register is one thing we know people often just haven’t got around to doing.

“This Christmas, we are asking everyone who supports organ donation to take just a few minutes of their online time to show that support by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register.”Over the last year, 36 people in the county have had a transplant.

To register visit organdonation.nhs.uk