Brigg man says his life was transformed after kidney donation

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.