Helena Jones has skydived to raise awareness for the campaign

Helena Jones, 70, is chairman of Helena's Hope, the National Kidney Research Fund in Wales' campaign to increase the number of organ donors.

Mrs Jones has been credited with recruiting a large number of the 19% of the population in Wales signing up to the NHS donor register - a higher proportion of the population than anywhere else in the UK.

Mrs Jones has already seen two of her children receive new organs, but a further two are still waiting for transplants.

"I am so pleased to receive this award on behalf of the Helena's Hope campaign because it helps us to put the spotlight on organ donation," said Mrs Jones from her home in Glynneath.

Last year on my 70th birthday I did a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet Helena Jones

"Three out of four people who need a new kidney will die because there are simply not enough organs available.

"Helena's hope is that everyone will pledge to become an organ donor and I will be working even harder this year to make that hope a reality."

Mrs Jones has taken part in a number of activities to highlight the cause.

"I've been working for kidney research for two years," she said.

"I've done a few things for it - one of the first things I did was abseil down the highest building in Cardiff at 210-feet.

"Last year on my 70th birthday I did a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet.

"For next year, I'm hoping to do a wing walk on a plane.

I know what it's like to live with children who are on dialysis and I hope for all the people out there needing transplants that more will become donors Helena Jones

"I am doing it so people are aware there is a dire need for more organs to become available and for more people to become donors because I've got two children - my eldest son Richard and my eldest daughter Helen - who are desperate for kidney transplants.

"Robert my other son and Wayne my second son, have had successful transplants and have had their lives back.

"So hopefully if Richard and Helen could have transplants they can start living their lives again and this is what my hope is and for all people out there in Wales and all over the country," she said.

Mrs Jones said that she has an inside view of what it is like living with people who are in desperate need of an organ donation.

"I know what it's like to live with children who are on dialysis and I hope for all the people out there needing transplants that more will become donors," she said.

Janet Pardue-Wood, director of the National Kidney Research Fund in Wales, said: "Helena's Hope campaign brings hope to people awaiting transplant operations and we are delighted that Helena's hard work has received the recognition it deserves with this prestigious award."