Charlotte backs organ donor scheme

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The television presenter, and mother to six-month-old Ruby, voiced her support for organ donation as she met parents of sick children at the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff.

She became involved in the issue after speaking to the parents of 20-month-old Finlay Careless, who has liver disease and is due to go onto a liver transplant list. Ms Church's mother Maria is a family friend of his father, 40-year-old Julian Careless.

Speaking as she was holding six-and-a-half-month-old Logan Donegan, who needs liver and bowel transplants, Ms Church said: "I wanted to get the message across to donate organs. I'm definitely going to do it myself.

"It's so important. A little baby like this can benefit so much. It would mean so much to these two little boys. It's something that everyone should do."

Finlay's mother Sarah Howells, 33, said she was in favour of an opt-out, rather than opt-in, organ donor register.

She added: "It's a procedure that is in place across the rest of Europe. Seven out of 10 people would like to give their organs, but only two out of 10 are on the register.

"I'm hoping Charlotte's support will make a big difference."

Ms Church said she liked the idea of an opt-out scheme, and added: "I can't imagine what it's like for a mother like Sarah to have to sit and wait. The child could deteriorate while you're waiting."

Ms Church said she had changed her mind about the issue since becoming a mother, and said a year ago her opinion would have been: "I'm keeping my organs".