A MOTHER who made the heart-wrenching decision to donate her daughter's organs for transplant after she was killed in a road accident has blasted former soccer ace George Best for continuing to drink.

Katrin Greaves has written to the Manchester United legend to express her horror that he has not beaten his drink problem, despite having a liver transplant in 2002.

She says donated organs should be treated with care and only given to those who have not played an active part in damaging their own organs.

Best, aged 59, is spending a second week in hospital after being admitted with a kidney infection caused by drugs he was taking to stop him drinking.

He is still in intensive care but his condition is described as stable and was believed to be sitting up and eating.

But the fact he received a liver and continued drinking has upset Mrs Greaves, whose daughter, children's nurse Emma, aged 27, was killed after being run over by a taxi while holidaying with friends in Tenerife in November, 2003.

Mrs Greaves, of Park Road, Little Lever, said: "We made the decision to donate my daughter's organs because we knew that's what she would have wanted and I hope that they went to someone who would appreciate them and not abuse the gift they have been given.

"George Best was given a second chance, but his donor had no second chance. I know his illness isn't related to his drinking, but I think he will waste this chance yet again when he's fully recovered.

"If I was ever asked to donate any of my family's organs again I would make sure it doesn't go to an alcoholic."

Under the current procedures, the families of donors are not told of the identity of the organ recipient.

Before she was killed, Emma, of Normanby Street, Daubhill, had been looking after a child who was waiting for a liver transplant.

Mrs Greaves contacted the Spanish consulate a few months after her death and discovered Emma's kidneys had been donated to a 33-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, and her liver had been used to save a 64-year-old man.

Mrs Greaves said: "The situation with George Best has altered my concept of organ donation. People who donate organs would not like to think the organs would be abused by the recipient.

"I know it is an addiction, but it is up to the person concerned to try to overcome it with the help of professionals."

What do you think? Should people who have abused their bodies be allowed to have organ transplants? Write to Letters, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Bolton, BL1 1DE, email letters@boltoneveningnews.co.uk