Skydive for kidney transplant son

A MAN diagnosed with kidney failure has told of his "second  chance in life" after his dad stepped forward as a donor.

Barry Kent, 34, was diagnosed with final stage kidney disease in June last year and received dialysis four times each day to stay alive.

The tests and treatment continued until February when Mr Kent's father Trevor, 60, stepped forward as a kidney donor.

Mr Kent, of Windlesham, said: "Being a healthy young man you can imagine my life turned upside down in such a short space of time. 

"I had to stop working and give up my dream of starting my own business as I spent most of the time in hospital for tests and treatments. 

"Dialysis treatment continued on a daily basis for just over 6 months. I had a number of family members step forward to be tested as a potential kidney donor and my dad was the best match. 

"After four or five months of further tests it was confirmed that my dad was fit and healthy enough to donate one of his kidneys to me."

He added: "I am ever so thankful to my dad for what he has done - basically he has given me a second chance in life and I will be forever grateful to him for this."

Mr Kent, of Woodlands Lane, and his father were admitted to Oxford Transplant Centre on February 28 for the live-saving surgery.

Happily, the operation was a success and both are on the road to recovery. Now Mr Kent wants to help others whose lives have been afflicted by kidney disease by doing a sponsored skydive.

In September, he will leap from a plane at 15,000ft and freefall at a speed of more than 120mph before parachuting to the ground in aid of Kidney Research UK.

He said: "It's my way of giving something back to the charity which has helped me through this extremely hard time in my life."

To sponsor Barry's skydive go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BarryKent