Family and friends of a theatre nurse from Hull are planning to scale the Yorkshire Three Peaks in her memory after she saved the lives of four people.
Pauline Thornton, 62, worked for Hull University Teaching Hospitals for 42 years until her sudden and untimely death from a brain haemorrhage in February this year.
Known for her compassion for others throughout her life, Pauline continued this in death after donating her heart, kidneys and liver to help four people live thanks to her commitment to organ donation.
Now, her family, friends and colleagues are planning to climb Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough on August 22 to raise funds for NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Charity and Hull Help for Refugees, where Pauline volunteered to support people seeking safety, dignity and a better future.
Daughter Claire, who also works as a nurse in Hull, said: “On behalf of my family and I, we hope that by sharing mum’s and our family’s story, we can help raise awareness of the lifesaving gift of organ donation. It can feel like an incredibly difficult decision at the worst moment of a family’s life, but knowing your loved one’s wishes can bring comfort and clarity.
“The Organ Donation and ICU team at Hull Royal were compassionate and supportive throughout the entire process and we know mum would have been so proud to have saved the lives of four people and helped many others, despite her sudden and untimely passing.
“Mum was deeply loved by all of us and not a day goes by that we don’t miss her terribly. We are just so proud of the kindness and generosity she showed her whole life and that even in death mum was able to help others.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everybody who has already donated to the fundraiser so far, supported us, and shared Mum’s story. It means so much to our family and helps us continue to the causes that were so important to her.”
Pauline started her nursing career in Hull in October 1984 and worked at Kingston Hospital, in the Theatres at Hull Royal Infirmary as a scrub nurse before becoming the Charge Nurse in the Centenary Building at Castle Hill.
She took flexible retirement in 2019 but chose to return to work as a scrub nurse in Paediatric Theatres at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.
She was a hugely popular member of the team, known for tending her allotment on her days off to share her produce with her colleagues.
Janine Tate, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation at HUTH, was with Pauline’s family when they made the decision to donate.
She said: “They knew it was what Pauline would have wanted. She’s spent a lifetime helping others.
“I’ll be joining them for the third climb and we’re just so grateful to Pauline and her family for all they’ve done – and are still doing – to support organ donation.”
Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk to register your decision if you wish to donate your organs in the event of your death so your loved ones know your wishes.
You can donate to the family’s fundraising appeal by scanning the QR code below or by visiting their fundraising page.
The family are also hosting a Family Fun Day Charity Fundraiser event at the Cross Keys in Cottingham on 2 August from 2pm to 7pm with a bouncy castle, bottle raffle, live music and raffles and quizzes for £2 a ticket, with children going free.
