Cyclists bring colour to funeral of Audrey Fyfe in Edinburgh

Around 100 cyclists attended the funeral in Edinburgh yesterday of 75-year-old Audrey Fyfe, the cyclist who died earlier this month after doctors switched off her life support machine. She had been in intensive care for two days after being struck by a car as she rode home from her daughter’s house. As an organ donor, Audrey's death will benefit others, a point made in a letter we have received from the NHS's Director of Organ Donation.

Audrey’s funeral took place at St Philip’s Church in Joppa, with many mourners wearing the colours of CTC Lothians, which she had been a member of for more than half a century, and through which she met her husband, Ian. The couple recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, reports The Scotsman.

Addressing the congregation, Rev Dr Stewart Weaver remarked: "As I look up in to the gallery and see the absolute riot of colour and coloured jerseys meshing in with the stained glass windows I thought, how appropriate - Audrey would have loved it."

A collection raised £1,758 for local cycle campaign group, Spokes.

As we previously reported here on road.cc, it was Audrey’s wish that her organs be used to help others, and following our news item we received an email from Sally Johnson, Director of Organ Donation for NHS Blood & Transplant, which we are happy to publish here.

Sir,

In response to the article "Organs of Edinburgh cyclist killed last week will help others" (Mark Appleton, 15th August 2011) I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Audrey Fyfe who died in a cycling accident and would like to thank her family for supporting her wish to donate her organs after her tragic death so that other peoples lives could be saved.

Although few of us want to think about our own death, it is important to discuss our donation wishes with our families so they know what we want rather than having to make a decision at the worst possible time. Every day three people in the UK die because they don't get the organ transplant they need. NHS Blood and Transplant is encouraging everyone to think about organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

You can help us make organ donation usual rather than unusual and save lives. It only takes a couple of minutes. You can sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

Sally Johnson
Director of Organ Donation
NHS Blood and Transplant