'Friend who gave me his kidney changed my life'

A man says his life has been transformed after receiving a kidney from one of his oldest friends.

Carl Dunderdale, of Brigg, was diagnosed with Berger's disease, which caused his kidney function to decline. His friend, Andrew Hensby, donated one of his kidneys.

In August, Dunderdale won gold at the UK Transplant Games in Sheffield and qualified to represent Great Britain at the World Transplant Games in Belgium next year.

"I am grateful every day," Dunderdale said. "My life is only as good as his kidney and his amazing generosity allows."

Dunderdale found out he had Berger's disease, which is a chronic kidney condition, after a regular health check when he turned 40 in 2019.

"I didn't know there was anything wrong. I didn't really feel any symptoms," the dad-of-two said.

"It was a massive shock, I was devastated.

"It took a long time, but I came to terms with the diagnosis and realised it's not the end of my life, I just had to adjust to a different kind of future."

But in 2023, tests showed his kidney function was falling.

Hensby - also known as Rewy - offered to be tested as a potential kidney donor and found out he was a match.

The transplant took place at St James' Hospital, Leeds, in August 2024.

Dunderdale said: "The surgery all went as smoothly as could be expected. My kidney – or should I say Rewy's – started working immediately."

"My wife even asked the surgeon to take a picture of the kidney before it went in, and he did – one for the family album."

Dunderdale went back to work in November and later entered the 2026 Transplant Games, which took place from 6 to 9 August.

He took home a gold in the high jump and a bronze in the snooker.

"I have always played snooker and pool, but I don't know why I went for the high jump," he said.

"I'd not done it since I was at school and didn't even have anywhere to practice, but then I won the gold medal."

Dunderdale qualified for the World Transplant Games in Belgium next summer.

"Taking part in the games was a great experience," he said.

"Meeting other transplant recipients was one of the most rewarding parts of the games. Hearing their stories and seeing what they had achieved was both inspiring and humbling."

Dunderdale said Hensby would be taking part in the UK Transplant Games in Birmingham next year.

"After everything Rewy has done for it'll be a proud moment to be there cheering him on and celebrating the gift that changed my life," he said.

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