A MASSIVE number of organ donors have come forward after a Huddersfield Town match was dedicated to the life-saving cause.

More than 9,000 people have added their names to the organ donor register nationally since the League 1 home game against Oldham Athletic earlier this month.

It is understood a large proportion of those were Town fans who attended the Galpharm Stadium game.

It brings the total number of organ donors to 18,543,180.

Today, Town officials thanked fans for backing the organ donor campaign.

Town chairman Dean Hoyle(pictured, inset) was delighted with the response.

He said: “It is brilliant to hear that so many of our fans connected with our campaign and have become donors, and to think our organ donation drive may save a person’s life.

“The fans were brilliant.The atmosphere they created during the game was superb and the way they embraced the campaign even more so. They are a credit to the club.”

Town dedicated the game – attended by 13,000 – to raising awareness of organ donation.

Staff from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust wore Town’s specially-produced T-shirts to hand out leaflets and fliers with information on how to become a donor.

Specialist nurse for organ donation Jayne Greenhalgh was joined by Peter Hall, ICU consultant and clinical lead for organ donation, to offer their expertise.

Jayne said: “This is an amazing rise in just one week. We are in no doubt, the Huddersfield Town and Oldham fans who were so supportive of us, have played their part.”

Heart transplant patient Craig Wimpenny, of Linthwaite, was invited as guest-of-honour.

The 43-year-old was left needing a heart transplant last October and his life was saved by a person he has never met.

At the game, he chose the numbers for the club’s Golden Gamble draw.

Jayne added: “It was a tremendous day and we received a really positive reaction.

“Fans had seen the coverage in the build-up to the match and were very interested.

“It was also good hear that many were already on the organ donor register and many of them shared their health stories with us.

“The rise follows a wonderful day at Huddersfield Town and we are very grateful to the club for allowing us to join them for their special day.”

She said they would be looking at other local sporting venues and believes other clubs could team up with their local transplant teams to repeat the day.

For more information contact Jayne on 07889 304449.