STAND-UP comedian Dave Spikey is urging fellow Boltonians to Sign Up To Save Lives — our campaign to get at least 5,000 local people to become registered organ donors.

Dave has joined fellow Phoenix Nights star Paddy McGuinness in calling for as many people as possible to join the register ahead of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in August.

The Farnworth-born funnyman — a former biomedical scientist at the Bolton General Hospital — said organ donation was vital.

The 61-year-old said: “I think it’s so important for people to sign up. When I worked for the NHS it was all about stem cells and bone marrow, but it’s kidneys, lungs and even retinas — people need to realise what a difference it can make.

“It’s the sort of thing we all mean to get round to doing, but just forget. But it takes two minutes and I urge people to sign up.”

The Bolton News launched its campaign to get 5,000 people to sign up to the Organ Donor Register on January 27.

There are more than 60 people in the town who rely on drugs and medical intervention to keep them alive until a suitable organ match can be found.

And there are currently more than 67,000 people from Bolton on the register — but we want thousands more to sign up.

The campaign, which has been backed by top doctors and political leaders in the town, has been launched ahead of Westfield Health British Transplant Games which are due to take place in Bolton in the summer.

The Games have been held annually since 1978 and will go ahead at various locations throughout Bolton.

Team members will be competing in sports such as swimming, running, archery, golf and fishing.The event is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of transplants and the importance of people signing up to become new donors.

To Sign Up To Save Lives: go to the NHS organ donor register at organdonation.nhs.uk; call 0300 1232323; or text SAVE to 62323.

  • Have you been saved by an organ donation or are you on the list waiting for a donation? Contact The Bolton News on 01204 537270 or email newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk.