CLOSE siblings share most things in life.
But Huddersfield nurse Audrey Walker gave her sister Patricia the ultimate gift when she donated her kidney to save her.
Patricia first became ill in her early 20s and had her first kidney transplant when she was 33.
But 20 years later the donated organ failed and Patricia, from Golcar, was put on a dialysis machine while she waited for a suitable kidney match.
Determined to give her beloved sister a better life, grandmother-of-three Audrey from the neighbouring village of Scapegoat Hill had her tissue tested and found she was a match.
After months of tests the pair were finally able to have the operations and were soon back home recovering.
They then urged people in Huddersfield to sign on the organ donor register and save lives.
Patricia said: “After the operation I asked Audrey what would mum and dad have thought of it all?
“She just said they would have been really pleased because they brought us up to share.
“It’s a marvellous thing she’s done. It’s a massive gift and it gives you your life back again.”
Audrey helped her sister despite the personal difficulties she was going through in her own life.
Her husband, Michael, was seriously ill and undergoing chemotherapy at the same time she was preparing to donate her kidney.
Sadly Michael died soon afterwards in October last year.
