AN Uxbridge woman has been honoured posthumously after she saved and improved the lives of eight people.

Oluwatosin Olateru-Adewuyi, a telecommunications engineer, died at the age of just 34 from a brain haemorrhage last July.

The MBA graduate’s donated organs and tissue have given the ultimate gift of life to several people, including children who have benefited from her heart tissue.

Her husband Olwaseun, originally from Nigeria, said he was proud of her decision to sign up to the organ donor register, which he said went against African culture.

He said: “The tradition is that people are buried with all their organs.

“But we understood the culture of organs donation in the UK - I have been a blood donor since 2006 - and we went ahead with donation to make my wife's wishes come true.

"We are now able to console ourselves that she was able to help people even in death.”

He and four-year-old daughter McKayle were among family members who attended the ceremony on Tuesday, held at the Priory Church of the Order of St John.

"Oluwatosin was very much a people person - she loved to help people,” he added.

“We feel proud of Oluwatosin and proud of the decision."

Black and Asian people are more likely to need an organ transplant than the rest of the population, because they are more susceptible to illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, some viral infections and heart disease, according to St John Ambulance.

A spokesman for the first aid charity said: “Sadly, fewer people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups agree to organ donation which means that people from these communities often wait longer for a transplant and are more likely to die before a suitable organ can be found.”

Organs are matched by blood group and tissue type and the best matched transplants have the best outcomes.

Oluwaseun received the Order of St John award on Oluwatosin's behalf.

Ann Cable, a member of the London County Priory Group of the Order of St John, who organised the London ceremonies with NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “With around three people dying every day due to the shortage of organs, these donors and their families have carried out an inspirational act to help others to live.

"We hope the example they have set will encourage many more to follow in their footsteps and agree to become an organ donor.”