A GRIEVING father has spoken of his pride after discovering his daughter was an organ donor who had given five adults and a baby the chance of a better life.

Phil Bennett only discovered daughter Katie, 21, was on the organ donation register after her tragic death following a fall from a taxi.

Before making the heartbreaking decision to switch of her life support Phil, 50, from Droylsden, discussed organ donation with his ex wife, Katie's mother.

They were left stunned when doctors said mother-of-one Katie was already signed up and on the register.

As a result, Katie's organs have already been transplanted and given six people another chance.

Now Phil, a decorator, is urging people to follow his daughter's example and sign the organ donation register.

Just over 3,000 transplants were carried out each year.

Organ transplants

More than 1,000 people die every year waiting for organ transplants.

Currently, organs are only taken if a dead person is on the donor register card, or with the consent of their family.

Phil, a father of three, said: "I've been left distraught and devastated by this sad and meaningless incident.

"We were amazed to find out Katie was already a donor and made such a brave decision by the age of 21.

"It makes us feel very proud and it is helping me through the pain knowing something positive has come from Katie's untimely death.

"Losing a child is devastating, let alone having to decide if her organs should be taken.

"Katie already being on the donor's list made any decision we made easy.

"I'm now appealing to everyone to at least give some thought to being a donor.

"Important to talk"

"Some people do not want to talk or think about death, but it is important to talk about donation now. With the sudden death of a young person the subject will be raised.

"Think about other parents of young children and how it could help them. If a relative dies who has not signed up seriously think about donating because what is good for you would be good for them.

"Katie will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered."

Phil, his current partner and her 17-year-old son, serving with the British Army, all now intend to sign the donation register.

Katie, originally from Tameside and a former Droylsden High School pupil, was returning from a night out with five friends in Stoke-on-Trent, when she fell from the taxi just yards from her front door. She had recently moved to the area with her two-year-old daughter Mia, mother and two sisters.

Police arrested the 30-year-old taxi driver, who was later released on bail.

Funeral

Katie's funeral will be held on June 11.

More than 9,000 people in Britain need an organ transplant that could save or dramatically improve their life.

Most are waiting for a kidney, others for a heart, lung or liver transplant.

A UK Transplant spokesman said: "Thanks to the generosity of people like Katie Bennett and her family, more than 3,200 lives were saved and transformed by organ donation last year and a further 2,489 patients received a corneal graft.

"The more people who pledge to donate their organs after their death, the more patients stand to benefit. By joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, you can make sure that life goes on."

YOU can join the Organ Donor Register by phone: 0845 60 60 400, or via the UK Transplant website: www.uktransplant.org.uk, or by texting the word `GIVE' to 84118. Standard text rates apply.