Today was the official launch of National Transplant Week, organised by the charity Transplants in Mind. It was held at the House of Lords and both Emma and myself attended. It was a wonderful afternoon, with some marvelous speakers, one of which was Robyn Tainty. Robyn is currently on the list for a double lung transplant and while she is a feisty little fighter, she is struggling a great deal now and clearly running short of time.

She had to pause to catch her breath and Emma had to take over during the speech. It really hit me hard, I did that same speech last year, that was me, sitting there, gasping for breath, desperate for a new lease of life, and it was very strange and very emotional watching someone else go through what I had done. I had to push back the tears a few times, which surprised me as I consider myself quite hardened to these things by now, but it just goes to show, no-one ever tells it as well as someone who is going through it.



There is hope for Robyn but time is of the essence. It was so hard to watch her do that speech, talking about the fact her chance may never come, watching her mum's face as she stood watching her daughter....I cannot believe that was me up there last year. I am just so incredibly lucky. And all I want is for her and Oli and all my other friends waiting to be as lucky as me.

On Saturday we are trekking up to Birmingham to build the world's biggest loveheart with the words GIVE LIFE emblazoned across it. This may or may not be a good idea, we shall see.




ps - watch Richard and Judy on monday. I have to say that or people lynch me afterwards.