A GROOM whose life was saved by a heart transplant is swapping traditional wedding favours for organ donor forms.

Gordon Hutchinson, 23, will urge guests to join the NHS Organ Donor Register when he weds Catriona Anderson, 25, this weekend.

Gordon was born with a congenital heart defect and needed surgery at 11-months-old, with a pig-skin valve inserted to keep his heart pumping.

A property manager from Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, he was put on the transplant register at 13 after his heart failed, and waited just six weeks for a suitable organ to be found.

He said: "If it hadn't been for the selflessness of my donor and their family, I wouldn't be here today. They saved my life.

"If I can get people talking about the issue with their families and joining the NHS Organ Donor Register then I've helped in some way repay that wonderful gift."

The couple will wed in front of 140 guests at Glenbervie House Hotel in Larbert.

Mr Hutchinson added: "When I met Catriona two years ago I told her very early on in our relationship about my transplant.

"I felt she had to know what she was taking on. She has been so supportive. She's been there for me every day since we met. This will be the happiest day of my life.

"I'm just grateful I can do a little bit to give back to the person that helped save me. If I can encourage just one more person to join the register then I've made a difference.

"All I'm asking of my guests is to think about it, have a wee chat with their family to let them know their wishes and then join the register.

"It only takes a few minutes and those seven words, 'I want to be an organ donor', can save seven lives."

Around two million people in Scotland are on the NHS Organ Donor Register - 41% of the population compared with a UK average of 31%.

But 600 people are still waiting for a transplant in Scotland at any one time, according to the Scottish Government.

The Evening Times has been fighting for an opt out donor system in Scotland, via our award-winning 'Opt For Life' campaign.

The opt out system would see everyone presumed to consent to allowing their organs to be donated unless they specifically opted out.

There would be safeguards built into the law to ensure the wishes of relatives were never ignored.

This month, the Scottish Government's Petitions Committee agreed to continue our petition on the matter.

MSPs were eager to allow the petition more time to convince the Scottish Government that a change in the law will save more lives.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organ donationscotland.org

stef.lach@eveningtimes.co.uk