This is our story.

Jill and I married in 1989, and we then went on to have two children in the 1990s. Jill was diagnosed with Nephritis, which caused her kidneys to fail in 2002, she then went onto peritoneal dialysis for several years before she had a transplant in 2004 and she returned to a normal life as we brought the kids up. We then moved to Bempton near Bridlington in 2005.

However, Jill’s kidney transplant failed after 18 years, and she then went on to haemodialysis, receiving her treatment at Bridlington hospital.

By this time, our kids had grown up. Our daughter now has a boy whom we dote on, and, living close to them, we looked after him when we could, as his parents were working full-time.

I volunteered to be a kidney donor for Jill and started the series of tests for that to become possible; however, along the way, I was told I was not a match and had by this time been referred back to the GP myself to test for diabetes. Jill and I were at our wits end and did not know what else to do or where to turn.

One day, I just decided to google ‘kidney support’ or similar keywords, and the National Kidney Federation charity popped up.

In September 2024, I rang the number from the website, and Linda (NKF Helpline Advisor) answered. I just blurted out what we were going through.

Within a few months, I had my tests back, my bloods were fine, no diabetes, and not only was I a tissue match, but a blood match for Jill.

In July 2025, Jill and I had the operation at St James in Leeds and from the second Jill received my kidney, she had a wee, the kidney worked perfectly. I was discharged the following day, and Jill followed me home after a further 4 days.

Now we are both doing brilliantly, and Jill is almost up to walking 8,000 steps a day.

When Linda picked up the phone that first day, I called the National Kidney Federation and they provided me with the support I needed to continue the steps to fulfil being a living donor for my wife, it changed our lives.

With the help of Linda, it has given me my wife back, she has given our children their mum back, she has given Cory, our grandson, his grandma.

Linda, I can never thank you enough for picking up the phone. We are tied to you and forever in your debt, and we are eternally grateful to you.