A lifesaving friendship that grew out of tragedy

A FORMER police officer who supported a woman after the death of her son has now saved her life - by donating her a kidney.

- FILIPA GASPAR

Tim Swinburn, 61, then a family liaison officer, first met Clare Brixey, 61, under the darkest of circumstances.

He had been tasked with delivering the news that her 20-year-old son, Ashley Brixey, had died in a car accident.

Clare - who was already battling kidney failure and dependent on dialysis - faced unimaginable heartbreak.

But the pair stayed in contact over the years since the crash in 2004 by exchanging emails and calls.

When Tim learned that Clare's kidney - which had been donated - was failing, he didn’t hesitate to offer one of his own, knowing her chances of securing another were slim.

Clare, who works holistically on horses, said she was “blessed” for having met Tim and for him saving her life.

Clare from Standerwick, Somerset,

Tim actually said ‘if that kidney is failing, you are going to have one of mine’

CLARE BRIXEY

said: “I do feel amazing. I feel happy to be alive and I am so grateful for Tim.

“I have only got one working kidney but I know I am going to have a great life for the lifespan of that kidney.

“Tim's only got one kidney left but he's still going to have a great life with one kidney.”

Tim, who now works at ‘The Salvation Army's Booth House in Swindon, said: “When you see someone facing such immense challenges, the desire to help is instinctive. When I learned how critical her situation was, offering my kidney felt like the natural, human thing to do. To see Clare doing so well that’s my boost. ‘That makes everything worthwhile.”

On October 3 2004 at 3am Tim knocked on Clare’s door to say that her son had been killed in a car crash.