When June Willcox found out that Mark, who has been in a wheelchair since he was 11, needed a kidney transplant, she immediately offered one of her own.

And for 28-year-old Mark, of Philip Drive, Amble, his mum's gift has changed his life.

He said: "I can't thank her enough."

Mark suffered a stroke when he was 11. It affected the base of his spine and since then, he has had no sensation from the waist down.

Because of the loss of feeling, he was not able to tell when he needed to urinate.

He said: "I was told to go every three hours. But when I was out playing with friends they just went in the bush or wherever but I had to come home. So I just didn't do it."

As a result, Mark's bladder overfilled and fluid went into his kidneys, causing renal failure about two years ago.

Mark was on dialysis three times a week at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital for eight months. He also had to have a bladder operation before the transplant so his body would accept the new organ.

But after their six-hour operations, both mum and son are recovering well at home, with dad Colin, sisters Lisa and Nicola and Mark's fiancee Joanne, looking after them.

June, 50, of Leslie Drive, Amble, said: "It had to be done. I never ever thought twice about it. Any parent would do it for their own.
"When he came through the operation he phoned me at night crying and thanking me. But everybody would do it, I would have done it for the girls straight away."
June was the first into the operating theatre, followed by Mark two hours later.
"I could have gone on the transplant list but you never know how long you are going to be waiting," Mark said.


June added: "He was asked if anybody would be a donor and the whole family said that they would go forward.

"After all the tests, his dad and I were both matches. But he has been through major hernia operations in the past so it was easier for me."

Mark's life has now completely changed. He no longer has to visit the Freeman for four-hour dialysis sessions. Instead he goes only for blood tests – which will be reduced in frequency as he recovers.

He will also be able to go out and see friends and, of course, go to the toilet normally after eight months of not doing so.

"When I woke up from surgery and there was wee in the bag and it was as clear as anything, I couldn't get over it. I was really frightened though. Before the surgery they were saying I was going to get a new life and I have.

"As soon as I had had it done everybody said I looked a lot better. I must have been bad that long that I didn't feel bad."

Mark's immune system is more susceptible to infection because of the operation and he will have to take tablets for the rest of his life.

He is now looking forward to Christmas without dialysis and pain, and a holiday in Lanzarote in June next year after cancelling a booking earlier this year. He is also aiming to take part in the wheelchair race at the 2011 Great North Run to raise money for the kidney transplant ward at the Freeman.

June added: "We would also like to thank everyone for all the cards, help, support and wishes."