Creative agency Lexia, an EADT Future50 company, has been appointed by the Order of St John to handle PR for a major new award scheme being run by the charity with NHS Blood and Transplant.

The initiative involves ceremonies to honour UK organ donors, the first of which is due to take place in London on September 18.

Lexia has been tasked with creating publicity, including carrying out interviews with the loved ones of those whose organs have gone on to save the lives of other people.

Further ceremonies will be held in October and November to recognise the 1,212 deceased donors whose families made the brave decision to donate organs last year.

Deborah Watson, managing director of Lexia, said: “I feel extremely proud that Lexia was selected to carry out this work with two such prestigious organisations, and for such a special new award scheme in the UK.

“We have previously worked with the Order of St John on other event and PR activity and were delighted to have been selected over other creative providers to take on this important campaign to raise awareness of organ donation.”

A spokesman for the Order of St John said: “This award has been created for two purposes ? to say thank you to families whose loved ones have already donated and to inspire more people to follow in their footsteps and sign up to be an organ donor.”

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, added: “A change in public attitudes around donation is needed across the UK if more lives are going to be saved through organ transplantation. We need everyone to be proud to donate, when and if they can.”