THE family of tragic Black Country dad, whose decision to donate his organs saved the lives of four people, are urging others to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Carol and Pete Massey, whose 41-year-old son Jason died of meningitis in March 2014, attended an organ donation awareness event at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley on Monday May 9 to share their story in the hope it will encourage other people across the borough to sign up to the register and help save lives.

Jason, a Rowley Regis father-of-five who was on the Organ Donor Register, died at Russells Hall three weeks before his 42nd birthday after the disease left him brain dead - and his mum Carol, a retired Dudley Group nurse, said two of his daughters “really struggled with the idea of organ donation” at first.

But she said: “Knowing he was able to donate his kidneys, liver and heart has helped us come to terms with our grief.

“We think it’s brilliant that Jason was able to help four people. Now we are all on the Organ Donor Register, including Jason’s eldest two children, because if their dad had needed an organ, we would have been begging anyone to donate. We think Jason is a real hero.”

Mr and Mrs Massey, aged 67, from Tipton, were accompanied by Jason’s widow Ann at the awareness event which was hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley - Councillor Steve Waltho and his wife Jayne.

Cllr Waltho said: “I am passionate about raising awareness of how organ donation can save lives. As a council we support national initiatives to increase the number of people on the organ donor register, which has helped increase numbers locally.”

The event also saw the Dudley Group’s clinical lead for organ donation Dr Julian Sonksen and non-executive director Ann Becke presented with a model of The Gift of Life organ donation sculpture that was unveiled outside the hospital by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester in October 2014.

Belbroughton based sculpture and metal-work artist Paul Margetts, who designed the sculpture, presented the model to Dr Sonksen who said: “Monday’s event was a lovely opportunity for our staff and members of the public to speak to Carol and Pete and their family to find out why it is so important that more people join the Organ Donor Register.

“Organ transplantation is completely dependent on the generosity of donors like Jason who made a lifesaving gift to others.”