An inspirational Hither Green woman has been posthumously honoured for giving the gift of life after her death.

Wanda Polanski died in March at the age of 43.

She had an underlying and undiagnosed heart condition, silent ischaemia, and died of brain injuries resulting from a cardiac arrest.

Her kidneys and pancreas were donated to three people who needed transplants.

Wanda, who was course administrator for the vehicle design department at the Royal College of Art, was one of 34 people honoured at a ceremony in Clerkenwell where their families received the Order of St John award for organ donation on their behalf.

The award, run in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant, was presented by Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London William Russell to recognise some of the 1,364 people who donated their organs after death last year.

Wanda’s mother Barbara Polanski, 69, from Lee, said: “Wanda had discussed the idea of organ donation with her flatmate, and they decided to register as donors.

“Because Wanda was on the organ donor register, it was easier to make the decision to go ahead, because we were naturally in a terribly distressed state.

“We were being asked very gently. There was nothing that could be done for Wanda. It was very difficult for us and still is. Wanda was our only child.”

Barbara, who was a teacher like her husband Marek, added: “Losing a child is not something you ever want to think about, but the donation is a source of pride to us.”

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The number of deceased donors in the UK increased by six per cent to 1,364 during 2015/16 – but there are still around 6,500 people on the transplant waiting list and around three people die each day in need of an organ.

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for people to be inspired by the actions of Wanda and other donors by discussing organ donation with their families and joining the register.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation, 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. “Transplant patients tell us that organ donors and their families are heroes. This award is a chance for us all to recognise their bravery and generosity.”

Paul Herbage, chairman of the Greater London Priory Group of the Order of St John, said: “We recognise that receiving this award on behalf of their loved in front of others isn’t easy for some families, and is quite an emotional occasion.

“However, we hope that as well as it being formal recognition and a thank you for their loved one’s lifesaving donation, that this ceremony brings a sense of pride and comfort to all the families involved.

“In 2016 around three people still die every day due to the shortage of organ donors. We hope the example set by the organ donors whose lives we are honouring today encourages many others to join the NHS organ donor register – a process which takes just a few minutes online.”

To join the eegister visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 2323.