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The parents of Britain’s youngest organ donor have revealed their pride at an extra 100,000 people signing up as donors since we shared their tragic son’s story.

The Mirror told in April how Mike Houlston and Jess Evans, 29, decided to donate the kidneys and heart valves of Teddy, who lived for 100 minutes.

And after encouraging our readers to share the story on social media, using the hashtag #TeddysStory, our campaign has had a huge impact.

Between April and August this year, 526,712 people signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register for the first time, according to official NHS figures – compared to 414,426 sign-ups during the same period in 2014.

Mike, 31, said: “I don’t know how to put how I feel into words. We are dumbfounded by the response.

Organ donation NHS Organ Donor Register

“We are just so proud of Teddy’s legacy. It shows he’s a hero.”

Jess, who will be honoured with Mike with a Special Recognition gong at the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, shown on TV Thursday, added: “It’s just amazing to hear so many more people have signed up. We never imagined there would be such a reaction.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

“Losing Teddy was always going to leave a big hole in our family, but seeing what a difference he has made makes our loss easier.”

In more research published today by NHS Blood and Transplant, a Populus survey of 2,000 people found the equivalent of almost 12 million Brits are aware of Teddy’s story.

Of those, 47% – equal to five million – said it made them think about whether they wanted to donate their organs after death.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

Crucially, more than four million (37%) said it made them consider whether they would donate their own children’s or babies’ organs.

Senior NHS officials said this is a real breakthrough because out of the 6,912 patients currently waiting for a transplant, 193 are children.

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And while the NHS stressed it cannot be proved beyond doubt Teddy’s story is solely responsible for the surge, chiefs agreed the impact is unprecedented.

Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We saw a huge increase in people signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register when the story hit the media.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

"Also, two-thirds of people who heard about Teddy’s story and signed up to the register since his story was in the media said it influenced their decision.

“We’ve also had more enquiries from neonatal teams and families of small babies and during pregnancy about organ donation in the months since.”

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

She added: “Without doubt, their story has had an impact.”

And she praised the courage of Teddy’s parents.

Ms Johnson said: “We’re delighted Mike and Jess have been recognised by Pride of Britain for showing such determination in breaking down barriers surrounding organ donation during their twins’ pregnancy and putting their own grief aside to share Teddy’s story to promote organ donation.”

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

Of the 193 children waiting for organs, almost 60 need heart, lung or heart/lung transplants. In the last decade alone, 207 have died waiting for a transplant.

Ms Johnson said: “There are lots of children in need of a transplant and some organs, such as hearts and lungs, need to be the right size for transplant.”

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The Populus survey also found Teddy’s story led more than three million people (28%) to talk to family or friends about donating organs after they die.

That is almost as important as signing up in the first place, as donations sometimes do not go ahead due to confusion from loved ones about the deceased patient’s wishes at the moment organ donation is about to take place.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

Mike and Jess, of Cardiff, were expecting twins when they were warned Teddy had anencephaly.

The rare and fatal condition stops the brain and skull forming properly. His twin Noah – who has a sister Billie, four – was healthy and is now 17 months old.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

After the couple made the tough decision to donate, Teddy’s kidneys were removed then transported 233 miles to Leeds and transplanted to an adult patient suffering from renal failure.

Pete Storey, of Kidney Research UK, said the surge in donors was “fantastic” and “gives new hope to the 7,000 people currently on the waiting list, the majority of whom are waiting for a kidney”.

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Fiona Loud, of the British Kidney Patient Association, added: “We support kidney patients week in and week out waiting for a kidney transplant and we know that when people are fortunate enough to receive a transplant, they are incredibly grateful to their donor and never forget them.”

And though there are now 21.1 million people on the register, Ms Johnson warned: “There is a desperate need for more families to agree to donate relatives’ organs, as three people die every day in need of an organ.

“I urge people to think about donation, to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and to discuss their donation decision with their friends and family.”

Every person on the register can potentially improve or save the lives of up to nine different people.

(Image: Trinity Mirror)

People can join it at any age, but under-18s should tell their parents, who would always be asked to give consent. In all cases, the clinical team would discuss donation with the family.

Sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register via organdonation.nhs.uk/TeddysStory or call 0300 123 2323.

The figures

526,712 number of people who signed up to NHS Organ Donor Register for the first time between April and August 2015.

414,426 number who signed up between April and August 2014.

112,286 increase in the number of people signing up over five months year on year.

6,719 number of adults waiting for a transplant in the UK.

193 number of children waiting for a transplant in the UK.

11.8 million number of Britons who are aware of Teddy’s story.

5.6 million number who say Teddy’s story made them think about becoming organ donor.

4.3 million number it made think of donating their children’s organs.

3.3 million number who told others about donating after story.