Dudley Council House is to be lit up this week to help raise awareness about organ donation.

The building in Priory Road will be lit up pink from today until Sunday to coincide with Organ Donation Week, which runs until 2nd October.

The NHS campaign is asking everyone to go pink for the week, whether that’s baking a pink cake, wearing pink socks, painting a pink unicorn or drinking a pink drink, and those taking part are encouraged to share their pictures on social media using #organdonation.

People can also download a pink heart for display or colour one in themselves. Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health, said:

"We support this important campaign every year. Organ donation saves and changes lives. It’s important that we talk about it with our friends and family.

"Organ donation is a tremendous gift, transforming the lives of countless others through one act of generosity. I’d encourage everyone to find out more about the campaign and take part in the week."

Chair of Dudley's Organ Donation Committee at Russell's Hall, Steve Waltho added: "We are very grateful to the council for recognising the importance of organ donation by allowing the illumination of the Council House.

"The national situation has improved significantly over the past 15 years but there are still nearly 6500 people waiting for transplants. We continue to play our part in Dudley and intend to hold an awareness day at Russell's Hall during that week as well as hopefully illuminating the front of the hospital."

In May 2020 the law around organ donation changed in England. All adults are now considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to donate, are in one of the excluded groups or have told their family that they don’t want to donate.