THE MOTHER of a boy who had a heart transplant has backed a Daily Echo campaign getting more people signed onto the organ donor register.

Born with a genetic condition which deteriorated his heart, Harvey Spanner had to undergo a heart transplant when he was less than two years old.

The Whiteley boy was placed on a life support machine for six months while he waited for a new heart when he was only 15 months old.

After suffering a series of strokes, Harvey was put into a month-long coma while doctors rushed to keep him alive.

But eight years later, Saints fan Harvey is one of the lucky ones and is running around like any other boy – even taking part in 2015 British Transplant Games in Newcastle where he brought home a medal. Harvey’s mum Rachel is so grateful that the Netley Abbey Junior School pupil has had this chance.

“It just means the world that he’s able to live a life,” the mum-of-five said. “He’s running around a lot and while you want to put them in a bubble, it’s all about having a quality of life, that’s what the donor has given him.”

Currently in Hampshire there are 260 seriously ill people desperately waiting for a heart transplant and countless more waiting for other vital organs, such as kidneys, lungs and livers.

Last year 85 people from across the county were lucky enough to have their lives saved or transformed thanks to someone and their families agreeing to pass on their organs to save the lives of others. As of last month there are 655,269 people across Hampshire were registered on the Organ Donor Register yet their families can still veto this life-saving chance.

So as part of our Seven Weeks To Say I Donate campaign, the Daily Echo wants to get 2,000 people to make the life-saving promise and share their decision with their loved ones.

Thirty-nine year old Rachel knows the pain of not getting that vital organ to have a second chance at life. Her 18-month old daughter, Amelia, died from the same condition – mitochondrial citopathy – one week after she was placed on the organ transplant list.

Rachel and her husband Mark have been urging people to not only get on the register, but also to talk about their decision.

She said: “I think the most important thing about organ donation is talking about it. You have got to have that conversation to let people know about what you want to do. It’s just about being brave and having the conversation with your family.”

To sign up and help hit our target visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk to find out more .