Mum Natalie Kerr given ‘second chance at life’ to turn Rivington pink

This month, the historic landmark, along with the Italian Lake will be illuminated in pink to help spread a life-saving message of hope.

For Natalie Kerr, from Adlington, the colour represents almost 15 extra years with her children – years she may never have had without the organ donor who saved her life.

The 44-year-old had hoped to once again illuminate Rivington Pike for Organ Donation Week, as it has done for the past two years.

But when permission was not granted this time, Natalie refused to let that be the end of it.

Instead, she is calling on people to pull on something pink and join her at the top of Rivington Pike on Wednesday, September 23, while the other landmarks shine bright.

Her message is simple: “If we can’t light the Pike pink, we’ll bring pink to the Pike.”

Last year at Rivington Pike (Image: Natalie Kerr)

And while the Pike itself will remain dark, United Utilities has stepped in to pay for the Pigeon Tower and Italian Lake to be illuminated that evening.

It means what began as a disappointment has grown into a community event – and for Natalie, there could hardly be a more personal reason for organising it.

She said: “My donor has kept me here with my family for almost 15 years, which is incredible.

“I’m able to see my children grow up and it’s given me a second chance at life.

“It’s important that people share their wishes on organ donation because it saves lives.

“It can keep families together for longer, like mine.

“I’ll do whatever I can to raise awareness and get people having a conversation and trying to save lives.”

Natalie with her two children (Image: Natalie Kerr)

Natalie, who grew up in Westhougton, own second chance came after she became seriously ill with pulmonary hypertension following the birth of her daughter Isabelle in 2008.

Her health deteriorated and she was eventually placed on the transplant waiting list.

By then, the everyday things most parents take for granted had become increasingly difficult.

In February 2012, the call finally came.

A donor had been found and Natalie, who worked as a nurse in Royal Bolton Hospital, underwent a double lung transplant at Wythenshawe Hospital.

The operation gave her something she had desperately wanted – more time with her family.

Nearly 15 years later, she has watched her children grow up and has devoted much of that time to making sure people understand the difference organ donation can make.

Natalie has campaigned for years to encourage families to discuss their wishes and previously launched a petition calling for an opt-out organ donation system, which attracted thousands of signatures.

This year’s Organ Donation Week runs from September 21 to 27.

Anyone can join the walk on September 23, with people asked to make their way to the top for around 6pm wearing something pink.

The group will then head back down to see the Pigeon Tower and Italian Lake illuminated.

And the colour will be spreading much further than Rivington.

Chorley Town Hall is due to turn pink on Monday, September 21, while Natalie has also been working to get Wigan and Leigh town halls involved.

On Friday, September 25, she plans to turn her home town of Adlington into “Pinklington”.

Schools, businesses and residents are being encouraged to wear something pink – whether that is an entire outfit or simply a bobble or hair clip – to get people talking about organ donation.

Natalie is also hoping Bolton Town Hall will join the campaign and has approached Blackpool Tower about turning the famous landmark pink.

Her campaigning goes far beyond one week.

She recently visited Royal Bolton Hospital to speak to intensive care nurses about what life can look like on the other side of a transplant.

Natalie said the nurses regularly witness organ donation at an incredibly difficult moment for patients and their families, and they appreciated meeting someone who was well and living her life many years after receiving donated organs.

(Image: Natalie Kerr)

It is that life – and the years she has been given with her family – that Natalie wants people to think about when they see Rivington glowing pink this month.

She is urging families to discuss their wishes and make sure the people closest to them know what they would want.

She said: “It saves lives, it literally saves lives.

“It can keep families together for longer like mine.”

More information about organ donation and recording a decision is available from the NHS Organ Donation website.