RANGERS midfielder Nicky Law took a break from training to tackle organ donation.

 

The club is backing a government campaign which is urging Scots to discuss their organ donation wishes with loved ones.

Nicky donned his number 7 shirt in a bid to raise awareness of how the seven words, 'I'd like to be an organ donor' can save up to seven lives.

Research shows around 45% of Scots haven't discussed their organ donation wishes with family.

To support the number 7 drive, Organ Donation Scotland street teams were at Ibrox last night, chatting to fans as they arrived for the game against Alloa, in a bid to get more people talking.

Although many think that joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is enough, sharing organ donation wishes remains fundamental to relatives honouring a loved one's choice in the event of their death.

Since 2010/11, the family authorisation rate for organ donation - when a family member agrees that donation can proceed - has increased from 57.1% to 61.6%. The government say if the rate was to further increase to 80% around 90 more lives could be saved each year.

Others Scottish football clubs including St Johnstone and Hamilton Academical have given their backing to help encourage fans to have a 'wee chat'.

Nicky Law said: "I'm more than happy to use the number 7 on my jersey to raise awareness of this very important campaign."

Glasgow MSP Anne McTaggart is driving forward a member's bill to introduce an opt-out system of organ donation in Scotland, on the back of the Evening Times' Opt for Life campaign.

Leading charities including the British Heart Foundation believe the system - where the default position is that everyone is a donor - is the best way to drive up donation rates.

To find out more about organ donation and to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org