WHEN hospital worker Lesley Biles found she had chronic kidney failure, her husband Adi was first in line to help with a transplant.

His was found to be unsuitable, but he decided to offer his kidney up for donation anyway.

And it helped saved a child’s life. Lesley’s life was also saved by a different donor.

Speaking at the start of Organ Donation Week, Lesley, a legal services manager at GWH in Swindon, said: “I am eternally grateful to the person who donated their kidney to me.

“My kidneys were gradually declining and were at the stage where dialysis was necessary.

“I had the transplant in June and kept both of my own kidneys.

"The donated kidney was placed in my lower abdomen, where it has taken some of the strain from my old kidneys.

“I feel so much healthier and fitter, it has saved and changed my life.” Lesley discovered she needed a transplant after a routine blood test revealed she had chronic kidney failure. She still has both of her original kidneys as well as being given the third, which is common practice.

“I cannot thank my donor enough,” she added.

“It’s down to the selfless act of them and my husband, and the dedication and outstanding care of the specialised medial team, that I was fortunate enough to receive a kidney and avoid dialysis.

“Donating a kidney is the most generous gift anybody can ever give, especially when they don’t know the individual themselves.”

Lesley added: “It is such an admirable and inspirational thing to do.”

After Adi Biles found he was not a a match for Lesley, he signed up for the paired exchange scheme.

Adi’s kidney was eventually donated to a child in need.

He said: “It is amazing to know that I have saved a child’s life, as well as indirectly helping my wife too.

“When Lesley got ill, I just wanted the best for her health and it meant I wished to give her one of my kidneys.

“I didn’t mind that Lesley wasn’t able to receive my kidney directly, as I know I have helped two people.”

“One worry for me before the operation was how much my life would change afterwards.

“The clinical team supported me so much though, and reassured me that my life would return to normal.”

The couple are now recovering after the operations.

Adi said: “There were some tests I needed to have before I could donate my kidney, to make sure I was healthy and to ensure I would be able to cope with having only one kidney in the future.”

“Since the surgery, there is nothing in my life that has changed and I am still able to work, drive, exercise and have a drink.

“When somebody you love is unwell, it puts life into perspective and the material things no longer mattered for us.”

Adi added: “I am so proud to be a living organ donor and would encourage anybody who is considering it to sign up.”

Organs do not only have to come from the recently dead, but a living person can donate an organ, blood or bone marrow.

Somebody who does not know anyone with kidney disease, but still wishes to donate, can provide a kidney for someone on the national transplant list or who is in the paired exchange scheme.

These people are known as non-directed altruistic donors and there have been around 600 of these across the UK in the past 10 years.

Approximately 300,000 people live in Swindon, but only 82,986 are registered donors.

Anyone interested in becoming an donor can visit organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/register-your-details for more information.