Richard Taylor won awards for his skating and skiing

The decision of Richard Taylor, 23, from Barry, south Wales to carry a donor card saved seven lives.

Now his parents want other donors to sign up to a Christmas appeal which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Thursday also marks 50 years since the world's first kidney transplant.

Taylor, a UK National In-Line Skating champion, died in August after he crashed into a lamppost near his south Wales home.

He had not been wearing a helmet.

His mother, Gaynor Taylor, said the Sign one more card for Christmas campaign to encourage donors was very important to the family.

"We feel that there can hopefully be a positive ripple effect from the fact that Richard had registered to be an organ donor," she said.

"We were so proud that Richard had made this decision, unknown to us.

"It shows his maturity, I suppose,. It shows that he thought about others and he decided to go out and do something about it.

"But we feel it is necessary to have organ donation an open subject that is discussed and encouraged in schools, colleges, youth clubs, on first days in any new job but most importantly within the family."

Whole family benefited

Mrs Taylor also said the donations had helped the family "feel a bit better" after Richard's death.

"They let you know where the organs go," said Mrs Taylor.

"We had a letter from one of the recipients - she has two children.

"Hearing that made me realise it wasn't just one person, it was a whole family unit who benefited."

Taylor had been skating with friends just yards from his home when he crashed into the concrete post.

He fractured his skull and broke his legs in the accident, and died in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Taylor had won the UK National In-Line skating championships for two years in a row, after turning professional when he was 15.

He also won the big air ski title in the British Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Championships in March.