Caring Ashleigh’s dying wish to give organ donor boost

Ashleigh Robertson, who died after losing her battle with cystic fibrosis, pictured with her niece Jessica

AYOUNG woman who died waiting for a lung transplant made it her final wish for friends and family to bring donor cards to her funeral.

Ashleigh Robertson, 28, from Chorlton, was born with Cystic Fibrosis and was told by doctors she urgently needed a transplant to replace both of her lungs.

Despite an urgent appeal for a matching donor, Ashleigh died peacefully last week.

But her family have revealed how she made a special plea in her will for everyone going to her memorial service to sign up as organ donors themselves.

Her parents Grant and Christine, brothers Kyle and Lewis, and partner Jim Cordingley-Power said they had left shocked at her deterioration.

There were devastated a donor couldn’t be found as a transplant may have lengthened her life by up to 20 years.

However they paid tribute to her bravery, positivity and selflessness.

Ashleigh has also donated all of her possessions, minus a few sentimental items, to charity.

Dad Grant, 64, said: “She was just a beautiful person. She was forthright and determined.

“But she had a wicked sense of humour and a smile that could light up a room. And she was just always thinking about other people, and how she could help them, as her will testifies.

“We will all miss her terribly.”

Despite her debilitating illness, Ashleigh was a staunch advocate and often spoke out to urge people to join the donor register.

However her own health began to deteriorate after she was officially put on the donor list in May.

She spent most of the last three months in Wythenshawe Hospital.

Formerly a construction worker, Ashleigh, who enjoyed motor sports and poetry, began working for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust when her condition limited her ability to work.

Kyle, 27, said: “She was always a fighter. When she was a baby, she was told she wouldn’t make it to being a toddler. When she was a teenager she was told she wouldn’t make it to 18. She always defied the odds.”

Ashleigh’s mum Christine, 59, said: “She was so passionate about helping others in the same situation as her.

“Even the day before she died she was on her phone speaking to other people.

“And of course she was fiercely passionate about people signing up as organ donors.

“If reading Ashleigh’s story inspires just one or two people then that will be part of the enormous good she has done.”

‘If Ashleigh’s story inspires one or two people, that will be part of the good she has done’