BRAVE mum Laura Merrick pleaded for people to donate organs and save lives – but was tragically too late to save her own.

The 28-year-old, of Hartpury, had been battling lung cancer for three years.

She desperately needed a new lung but one was never found in time.

Laura had been on the donor list since November last year but passed away last month when no donor was found.

Her husband Nicholas said: "She was on the waiting list herself, but unfortunately nothing came up for her.

"But still, she was always thinking of others."

Laura left behind their young son Leo, three, and her distraught family and friends.

Nicholas admits explaining the situation to the couple's three-year-old son Leo has not been easy.

He said: "He has been asking questions, and I have been trying to explain what has happened.

"It's not easy at all, but he's doing really well."

The courageous mum had changed her Facebook profile picture to the image of an organ donation leaflet as she fought to give others the chance of life.

Currently, 183,731 people from Gloucestershire are on the register, with 64 county residents waiting for a transplant.

Of these, 53 need a kidney, five a pancreas, one a kidney and pancreas, three need lungs and two are waiting for a liver.

Last month, The Citizen launched its own Save A Life Campaign to support the fight to get more people to come forward as organ donors.

Husband Nicholas said: "In the weeks before her death she was pushing for more people to sign up for organ donation, she was really passionate about it.

"She was a very loving girl."

Laura had worked in insurance in Gloucester before becoming ill three years ago.

She then went on to become the clerk at Maisemore Parish Council and Staunton Parish Council where she volunteered.

She was hoping to make it her full time employment and training and completing a course.

But she died after her three-year battle with the disease at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Thursday, January 27.

Nicholas said they had been married in Hartpury Church on June 24 2006, and were just months from their fifth wedding anniversary.

Her funeral was also held at the same church on Monday, February 7.

"It was a lovely service," added Nicholas.

"All her family and friends came along."

Laura is also survived by her parents Richard and Jill Till and brother Andrew.

Since our last Save a Life Campaign in July 2007, more than 39,100 have signed up to the organ donation list.

Click here to download a form to become an organ donor.