Greenwich Council is urging people to sign up for organ donation as they campaign around the borough.

A roadshow will be traveling around busy areas to highlight the issue and encourage people who have already signed up to let their family know.

The council has teamed up with Charlton Athletic Community Trust for the campaign.

Former Plumstead resident Laura Manners, who received a kidney transplant just under a decade ago, helped kick off the roadshow in Woolwich on January 8- the same date she had her transplant.

Laura Manners said: “It's so easy for people to forget or not speak to their loved ones about their decision to donate and those organs are unintentionally wasted so I think it's so important that we change the system from opt in to opt out.”

An information stand will provide support and advice and staff will give out leaflets debunking some of the myths surrounding organ donation.

Councillor David Gardner, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Around three people die every day in the UK while waiting for an organ transplant.

“I hope our organ motion roadshow encourages more residents to sign the organ donor register as well as encouraging those that have already signed to share their wishes with their families.

“Every potential donor is vitally important, as only one in 100 people die in circumstances where their organs can be considered for transplantation - but signing up as an organ donor isn't the end of the story.”

Managing director of NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Neil Kennett-Brown said: “Thousands of people across the UK are waiting for a transplant that could save their life.

“If you support organ donation, it's important to make your opinions known. Take the time to discuss your views with friends and family and register your choice with the NHS Organ Donation Register.”

Michaela Heller, consultant anaesthetist and intensivist at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, said: “Organ donation can save and transform lives and, as clinical lead for organ donation at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, I'm well aware of the shortage of donors.

“This campaign is an important new step in promoting a nationwide opt-out system, which would significantly increase the number of organs available for transplant.”

The roadshow will be at Tesco in Woolwich from 10am to 12pm on Monday, January 29 and Greenwich Centre from 1pm to 3.30pm on the same day.