FINDING the ideal Christmas gift may seem a difficult task for most men but one Stockport husband has come up with the ideal present for his wife - a second chance at life.

When Kath Robinson was diagnosed with renal failure four years ago, husband Joe offered to help in any way he could - including giving her one of his own kidneys.

But because Kath, 62, feared for Joe's safety she refused to let him, or anyone else, donate the kidney she desperately needed and decided to undergo regular dialysis instead.

The situation became desperate, however, six months ago when Kath fell extremely ill.

Once again Joe begged his wife to reconsider her decision and let him help.

She eventually agreed and the pair, of Halesden Road, Heaton Chapel, are now preparing for the transplant procedure which Kath describes as `the best Christmas present I've ever had'.

She explained: "I knew it was a dangerous operation and you never know what could happen so I said no right away at first.

Risk

"I didn't want Joe (pictured with Kath), or anyone else, to put themselves at any risk.

"But when I got ill he said: 'Kath just let me do this' so I agreed to the tests - but I didn't think he would be a match."

After just a short wait the pair, who have been married 43 years, were delighted and surprised to learn that Joe was a match even though he is a non-blood relative.

And Kath added that medics also allayed any fears about Joe's three-and-a-half hour operation which will be carried out by experts at Manchester Royal Infirmary tomorrow.

The family are now urging more people to consider organ donation and hope their story will inspire more donors to come forward.

Kath said: "If somebody reads this and sees that we did it in our sixties they might not be so concerned and even more people can be helped."

For more information about becoming a donor go to uktransplant.org.uk.
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