A mum whose daughter donated organs after dying in a car crash says she is "very proud" she helped save six lives.

Kirstie Booker was just 26 when she died in 2006.

Miss Booker, who gained a master's degree in chemistry from Queen Mary University prior to her death, was travelling from her home in Strood when her car hit a puddle and aquaplaned.

She was on her way to her job in Ashford at the time, where she worked as general manager for The Harvester restaurant.

Although her partner Michael escaped unharmed, Kirstie later died in hospital.

However her mum Eunice says her death has not been "in vain" as, following her passing, her daughter donated four of her organs.

Her lungs, liver and two kidneys went to three different people, while her heart valves went to a six-week-old baby and an 11-month-old child.

Kirstie is one of 10,000 organ donors who have been given an Order of St John Award (OSJ) since it was founded in 2013.

It is awarded to their loved ones in their memory.

And the donors, who have now saved more than 25,000 lives, have now been recognised again following an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the awards, to coincide with Organ Donation Week, which finishes on Sunday (September 24).

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester, has unveiled a new memorial dedicated to all organ and tissue donors in the UK at the Museum of the Order of St John, in Clerkenwell, London.

The stone plaque will have a permanent home in the museum’s Cloister Garden.

Speaking after being invited to the ceremony, Kirstie’s mum Eunice, from Bexley, said: “We have always said that we were proud of Kirstie in life, but even prouder of her following her donations.

"[So] our loss was not in vain.

“It is amazing that both organ and tissue donors are recognised.

"When speaking to other families about the OSJ award, it is always evident they are extremely proud to have received it on their loved one’s behalf.

“The event was really interesting talking to both members of NHSBT and also other families.

“The memorial is very fitting and will look amazing once placed in the garden.”

Mrs Booker admits she wasn’t aware her daughter was on the donor list until after her death.

The 68-year-old added: "Kirstie and I had talked about organ donation previously.

“When my husband and I were at The William Harvey Hospital in Ashford at the time it happened, we knew we needed a miracle.

“We walked around the grounds and then made the decision at King's Hospital where Kirstie moved to shortly afterwards.

"But we were then told by a donor coordinator that Kirstie was on the register after signing up when she applied for her provisional driving licence.

“So we know we carried out Kirstie’s wishes.

“She was always a loving and giving person, and we're just as proud of what she's done since she passed.

“We don’t know much about how the people who received Kirstie’s organs are doing now.

"But we know the girl who had Kirstie’s lungs lived for 11 years which is just amazing, as when you need a transplant you are very close to death in a lot of cases.

“So it’s just absolutely amazing what transplants can do.”

Meanwhile Chancellor of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, Simon Williams, said: “This award represents the very best of humanity by recognising extraordinary people who seek to help others if the worst should happen to them.

“Every person who is recognised has their own story, yet they are united in their life changing impact on others who are facing their own hour of great need.

“The memorial which His Royal Highness has unveiled today will be a place of quiet reflection for families who know the cost of the generosity of their loved ones - 10 years after the creation of the award.”

The 10th anniversary on Monday (September 18) marked the start of Organ Donation Week this year.