Pupils at Filey Junior School have worn pink clothing on Friday to raise awareness for organ donation, inspired by a teacher whose mother and aunt both became life-saving donors.
Pink clothing has been worn by pupils at Filey Junior School on Friday to spark vital conversations about organ donation among families.
The "Wear Something Pink" day is the centrepiece of an educational campaign led by teacher Jenny Wilson. The initiative is deeply personal to the educator, whose own family has provided two life-saving organ donors in recent years.
Organ donation is now a key part of the school's Personal, Social, Health and Economic curriculum. Using child-friendly resources created by an organisation called Orgamites, younger pupils are taught about their mighty organs and how to care for them. Older students take the lessons further, exploring exactly how organ donation can improve and save the lives of people in need.
Pupils and parents showed huge support for a similar pink awareness day last year, and the school hopes to build on that enthusiasm with Friday's event.
The inspiration for the curriculum changes began two years ago when Adrienne Wilson, the mother of the Filey Junior School teacher, died at Scarborough Hospital. Following her death, she became an organ donor.
Her legacy is now permanently recognised at the site. A photograph and storyboard detailing her donation have been chosen as one of just two donor stories to be permanently displayed in Scarborough Hospital's new intensive care unit.
Jenny Wilson said:
"Knowing that her story will continue to be shared means so much to our family."
The positive impact of the donation is discussed directly with the pupils during lessons.
Jenny Wilson said:
"When I talk to the children in my class, I am proud to tell them: 'My mum was a real superhero—she saved the lives of others.' Sharing her story helps make the lessons meaningful and shows how one person can make an extraordinary difference. But to have two in one family is unusual."
Incredibly, a second member of the family became a donor only weeks ago. Sue Wilson, an aunt from Beverley, donated three of her organs to patients in need. Medical professionals have also frozen and stored her heart valves for possible future use, meaning she may yet help save or improve even more lives.
Both women are described as having left a legacy of generosity and hope.
Through the school campaign, educators hope to reach far beyond the classroom. The primary goal is to encourage parents, relatives, and the wider community to record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and crucially, to tell their families what they want.
Families are always involved when organ donation is considered by medical staff. Although a registered decision is not simply something relatives can legally overrule, the donation process may not proceed in practice without their support.
Campaigners stress that talking openly about donation wishes can help loved ones support the decision at an incredibly difficult time.
Jenny Wilson said:
"Our message is simple: Wear pink, learn the facts, record your decision and tell your family."
The awareness push comes alongside the latest NHS Blood and Transplant figures, which show that York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had seven deceased organ donors during the 2025/26 year.
All seven of those life-saving donations took place at York Hospital, while Scarborough Hospital recorded none during that reporting period.
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