by Martin Jefferies

Australian pop superstar Natalie Imbruglia has stepped in to help a young Westgate woman who urgently needs a life-saving operation.

The former Neighbours soap actress, pictured right (courtesy of the WWF Earth Hour campaign), is to headline an organ donor awareness gig, called Save Jess-tival, inspired by the plight of 20-year-old Jessica Wales.

Her fight for life will be centre stage next Friday (October 16) when Ms Imbruglia performs to hundreds at an intimate show, to be held at The Village Underground in Shoreditch, London.

The 'Torn' singer will be joined by Canadian comedian Glenn Wool and 'Mock the Week' favourite Ed Byrne.

The music and comedy show is supported by Live Life Then Give Life (LLTGL), the transplant charity for which Jessica, pictured below (courtesy of Sarah Milne), is an advocate.

Last week, the Thanet Extra revealed how millions of people, including dozens of celebrities, were touched by her desperate story on the social networking website Twitter. These included the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown, chat show host Jonathan Ross, comedian David Baddiel, Formula 1 racing star Rubens Barrichello and singer Beverley Knight.

Brave Jessica, who has cystic fibrosis and needs two new lungs, is recovering at home after a serious health scare confined her to hospital for 12 days last month.

Of the 8,000 Britons on transplant lists, three will die every day waiting for a suitable donor, according to LLTGL. Around a quarter of the UK population will help others after their death by donating organs.

To join the Organ Donor Register, visit www.uktransplant.org.uk or phone 0300 123 2323.