The widow of a man whose organs have helped save three lives after his sudden death is urging more people to carry donor cards in 2008.

The family of Chris Allen, who died at Leeds General Infirmary in November aged 49, hope his example will encourage others to become donors.

His wife, Janey, and her daughters Harriet and Rebecca, agreed to Mr Allen's organs being used to help others within an hour of agreeing that his life-support machine be turned off.

And that decision was vindicated almost immediately as matches were found on the same night for three people in urgent need by the regional transplant team based at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

Mrs Allen, of Gay Lane, Otley, has now received a letter from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH) giving details of each of the recipients and saying how well they are doing.

She said: "Chris died four minutes after the machine was turned off and they rushed him down to use his organs. He died at LGI but a team at St James's was waiting.

"That same night he saved three people's lives because his organs matched straightaway.

"Making that decision was difficult but, as it says in the letter from the Trust, it was so important.

"One of the recipients had been waiting for 12 years, a really long time, and I have been told they are all doing well.

"We are donors and carry cards but were still in a state of shock, because he died tragically and it happened so quick.

"In the end we agreed that Chris would have wanted it to go ahead and have it done."

The couple, who between them had worked for 30 years with Leeds City Council's homelessness unit, met six years ago and moved to Otley from Horsforth four years ago after they were married.

A keen musician, sports fan and animal lover, Mr Allen became a well known figure in the town.

Mrs Allen said: "I respect everyone's different beliefs and feelings and accept that becoming an organ donor is an individual's decision.

"But this shows what good it can do.

"I don't think everyone realises that if you're an adult your kidney, for example, could go to a child and give them a whole new lease of life."

A spokes-man for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said: "Staff at St James's know all too well the heartache many families go through because of the shortage of organ donors.

"Sadly, critically ill patients do die because time runs out and no suitable donor organ is available.

"No one wants to imagine they or their family will ever be the victim of a tragic accident, but if the worst happens and a person's wishes are clear this makes the organ donation process so much easier for all concerned.

"Many families do take great comfort from the fact that others have had the chance of life after a loved one's death."

For more information call Transplant UK's organ donor line on 0845 60 60 400 or visit www.uktransplant.org.uk.