WHO SHARES WINS: Michael with his wife, Angela, who donated a kidney him Picture: David Harrison

York kidney patient Michael Hardgrave today paid tribute to his wife, Angela, for giving him the gift of a normal life.

"I can't get over how brave she is," he said.

The former SAS reservist is now free of the dialysis he had to undergo three times a week and can eat and drink normally after Angela donated him one of her kidneys in a "Who Shares Wins" transplant operation.

Michael, aged 55, from Hope Street, has just returned home from St James's Hospital in Leeds following tests and treatment for an unrelated heart problem.

The transplant took place at 5St James's in February, but its success is only now becoming clear.

Although Michael now needs to take insulin because anti-rejection drugs have made him diabetic, he said: "The overall picture is that I'm doing fine. All these little hiccups are nothing compared with before."

He compared dialysis to prison, adding he was on a very restrictive diet for both food and fluids which left him thirsty all the time.

Now for the first time in five years he can eat and drink what he likes within reason, so he can have an English breakfast and even enjoy a quiet pint at his local - both impossible before the operation.

Angela's part in the transplant was even tougher than his. She had half a rib removed so the surgeon could get at her kidney, and still can't lift anything heavy.

But though she had seen how serious the operation was after Michael had a cancerous kidney removed she was modest despite his praise.

"I took it in my stride really," said Angela, 51. "I suppose I didn't really think about it, I didn't dwell on it that much - I didn't have time to worry about it."

Now they are looking forward to spending summer evenings out.

They have made a heartfelt plea for more people to carry donor cards and register as donors.

Michael said: "I have been lucky, my life now is going to go back to pretty much normal, but there are thousands of people in the queue behind me."

To register as a donor you should call 0845-6060-400.

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