Painted rocks to be hidden as Kettering and Northampton hospitals celebrate national Organ Donation Week

The Organ and Tissue Donation Committees at Kettering and Northampton general hospitals have organised a series of events to support increased awareness of organ donation at a time when some consent to donation has fallen.

KGH committee chairman Nicola Lee said: “We want people to share the positive message of organ donation and the gift of life it can bring to those in need of a transplant.

“That by signing the register and making your views known you greatly improve the chances of successful donations.

“Last month (August 5) NHS Blood and Transplant called on one million people in the UK to register their decision to be an organ donor.

“We know that despite strong public support for organ donation in principle nationally consent at the time of death has fallen by a fifth from 69 per cent in 2020/21 to just 57 per cent in 2025/26.

“Hence the importance of making your view known to your family is really important as they will always be approached before any donation is made.

"A single donation can save, or help transform, up to nine people’s lives.”

In 2025-2026 the KGH team made 59 referrals to organ donation with 11 proceeding to donation.

As a result 30 donations were made to people aged 15 to 77.

In 2025-2026 the NGH team made 63 referrals with 10 patients becoming organ donors after they died, saving the lives of more than 21 people.

16 patients who died in NGH also became tissue donors, including 32 corneas being retrieved for transplant giving the gift of sight.

Events planned during Organ Donation Week include:

Kettering area

- Lighting up St Peter & St Paul Church in Market Place, Kettering, for the week in pink

- Displays at Kettering General Hospital in main reception and the education centre and in Kettering and Wellingborough libraries

- A pink sock day competition for staff at KGH and NGH to encourage awareness

A stand and attending UHN’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday September 23, from 5pm to 7pm at the Prince William Education Centre at KGH with committee chairman Nicola Lee talking about her family’s personal experience of donation and her subsequent work in the field

- Rock hiding - 131 painted rocks with organ donation messages are ready to be hidden around the North Northants area. Please look at DONATION ROCKS on facebook where hopefully people will post photos and also find key info there about organ donation

Northampton area

- The Barratt Maternity entrance at Northampton General Hospital will be lit up pink for the week

- A digital display on the billboard outside Franklin’s gardens in Weedon Road and in Redhouse Road in Moulton Park

- A display stand at Towcester Leisure Centre

- Shared digital assets with all GP surgeries across Northamptonshire

- Meeting young students at Silverstone today (September 17) at the National College For Motorsport Freshers Fair to raise awareness among the younger generation

To register or update your organ donation decision, visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website.