A Wirral grandfather who donated a kidney on his 65th birthday - and has since encouraged 6,000 people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register - has been announced as Wirral Hospital’s volunteer of the year.

Paul Dixon, a 68-year-old from Prenton, spends two days a week volunteering at Wirral Hospital and the Royal Liverpool, urging people to sign up to the register.

Wirral Globe:

He has received the accolade at the hospital's PROUD Awards, presented by BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty, for his unstinting dedication.

Paul said: “I was delighted and really surprised to win the award. I volunteer because I enjoy it and because it is important but this recognition was just the icing on the cake.”

He had been on the organ donor register since the early 1970s but subsequent changes in legislation later allowed living donors to donate a kidney.

Inspired by former jockey Richard Pitman who donated a kidney to a stranger in 2012, he decided he wanted to donate one of his kidneys to someone who needed a transplant.

Paul said: “I happened to see him on TV and I just thought I could do that. I made a phone call, had an appointment and decided to give it a go.”

A series of tests were carried out to ensure he was healthy enough to live the rest of his life with one kidney. He discovered he was the right match for someone in need of a transplant and had the operation on his 65th birthday.

Paul added: “Afterwards, once I started volunteering and meeting transplant patients I realised just how important the donor register is.

“I’m really pleased that I can give my time to do it. If transplant patients were well enough they would be doing it but more often than not they are not well enough.”

He spends 18 hours a week volunteering and since he started a volunteering a year and a half ago, he’s signed up over 6,000 people to the register.

Paul said: “My family were shocked when I became a donor but they have become my biggest supporters and they are really proud of me now.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk