Manchester: ‘My ex-partner gave me his kidney’

A man who made a desperate online plea to donate a kidney is now recovering from a successful transplant after answering a call from a former work colleague.

Jamie Lonsdale, 36, put the appeal on Facebook and it was seen by Lauren Lane, 30.

Mr Lonsdale, from Monton, Greater Manchester, spent more than two years on the transplant list after his first donated kidney failed in 2022.

“I was just expecting people to wish me well but Lauren coming forward was just a dream,” he said.

Dialysis four times a week and other complications before she sought help.

“It was completely unexpected and a huge ask and I was quite embarrassed to post on Facebook but I was very disappointed,” Mr Lonsdale said.

“It was a really serious situation. I wasn’t sure I would get the call but I felt like I had to do something.

“Lauren made a huge sacrifice. She was fit and well and I was at the end of life.”

Mr Lonsdale added: “I’ve got my life back for at least another 20 years.”

Ms Lane, from Manchester, who is also recovering from surgery, said: “We worked together for a few years and I went to work for another company.

“I just saw the appeal and felt I needed to do something.”

The PhD student also said she had a personal reason for responding to the appeal.

“My father passed away in 2018. He was on the list for a liver transplant but sadly he could not get it in time,” he said.

“I’ve been really lucky that all my friends and family understand the personal reasons I do.”