By Katherine Trail

IT IS OFTEN said there is nothing stronger than a mother’s love, and one Newport mother has shown this really is the case by deciding to donate one of her kidneys to her son.

Wayne Brown (35) has had kidney failure since February and has been going for dialysis regularly at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, as tests were carried out to identify a suitable donor. His mother Alice (54) underwent a series of gruelling tests at the hospital to determine if her kidney was compatible with Wayne’s body. To the joy of both, it was found to be almost a perfect match.

Alice said, “It was very hard watching Wayne suffering, no question about it. When I found out my kidney was a match, there was no doubt in my mind. I knew I was going to have the operation and donate the kidney.

“We’ve been down this road before. Our daughter died from kidney failure, and although we had Wayne tested for the same condition when he was younger, it came back negative.

“It was really a bolt from the blue, but I knew right away what I was going to do.”

Alice added, “I have to say, the Renal Unit on Ward 22 at Ninewells Hospital has been absolutely fantastic, from the cleaners right up to the high-flying doctors. They’ve all been very helpful. I’m actually not nervous about the operation at all. I just want to get it done as soon as possible so Wayne can start getting better.

“I just really hope it all goes well.”

Wayne described his mother’s decision as “incredible”.

“It’s an incredible thing to do for someone. Both my mum and my dad underwent the tests but due to ill health my dad wasn’t suitable. On hearing the news that my mum was compatible, it was slightly mixed feelings.

“My mum is having to put herself through a very tough operation for me, but obviously I am very happy that I am going to get the transplant. At the end of the day, my mum will do anything to help her son.”

Wayne is a regular at the Newport Hotel, where a recent charity auction raised £800 for the kidney unit at Ninewells.

Hotel proprietor Jim Mann said, “We found out that Wayne was due to have a kidney transplant in January so we decided to raise money for the kidney unit at Ninewells. We auctioned off gifts and items donated by patrons of the hotel.”

Wayne’s transplant is expected to take place in Edinburgh in the new year.