A WOMAN who donated a kidney to her stepson when his were failing is now raising money to fund research into the disease.

Justin Piercy, 42, who suffers from IgA nephropathy, which slowly stops both kidneys working, was just days off starting dialysis when doctors discovered his stepmother Sandra Piercy was a sufficiently close match for the transplant.

"I literally owe my life to Sandra for giving me her kidney. To give an organ is the most amazing and brave thing a person can do. They should get some sort of medal," he said.

"There is no cure to this disease and I will have it for the rest of my life. "I knew for about four years that I would have to have a transplant. My kidney function has reached 15 per cent, at that point I would have needed dialysis.

"This would have meant travelling to York Hospital three or four times per week to spend most of the day having dialysis. Many people have to have dialysis for years until they receive a kidney."

Sandra, 50, who lives in West Knapton, said: "Luckily Justin's specialist was very good. He didn't really want him to start on the dialysis, so obviously, because we were a good enough match, the transplant was done."

She said they were both very active before the operation at St James's Hospital in Leeds in 2011, which helped greatly.

"We had to go for loads of tests together. When we arrived the doctors and nurses never knew who was going to receive the kidney because we both looked so fit," she said.

"When we went and sat in the kidney unit waiting room there were so many young people waiting for dialysis. It was heartbreaking. You almost feel guilty because we were going to go through this process that will stop him having to go through that."

Justin, who served in the Royal Artillery in the early 90s, added: "I feel like I now have two birthdays every year, my own and May 2 on the anniversary of our transplant operation.

"I would also like to say a massive thanks to my mum Georgina and stepdad Tony. They came to stay at my house and cared for me for a month as I was unable to care for myself. Also to my dad John for caring for Sandra, who also needed looking after."

After the operation, and after witnessing the work done by Leeds-based Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund at the hospital, Sandra decided to raise money for the group, as well raising awareness of kidney conditions and transplants.

She read an article in the Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund newsletter about the Three Peaks Challenge, and immediately decided to do it.

Sandra and her fellow walkers did the trek in 11 hours, 45 minutes, in July, raising more than £1,200.

Sandra says that since the operation she has kept up her active lifestyle, continuing to cycle seven miles to work and back, and walking the dogs several miles a day. She is a dressmaker, working at home and at the Perfect Day bridal shop on Yorkersgate in Malton.

She raised £1,272 for Yorkshire Kidney Research, with £500 coming from the Malton Masons.

"I want to add a huge thank you to them and everyone who donated, friends, family and customers," she added.