A BURY woman is back home after an operation to give the gift of life to a work colleague.

Helen Cavanagh agreed she would donate a kidney to her friend Julie Rogers after being told she was a perfect match.

Mrs Cavanagh, who lives in Elton, said she felt compelled to donate after seeing Ms Roger “existing” rather than “living” due to her sickness and being on dialysis for three years.

Ms Rogers remains in Manchester Royal Infirmary with minor complications after the transplant operation.Mrs Cavanagh, who works a project manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in Manch-ester, has now returned home and hopes the story will encourage others to become donors.

She said: “I feel fine now. I am glad I made the decision to donate a kidney to Julie. I have had an amazing amount of support with cards and things; it has been unbeliev-able.

“I just wish Julie was feeling even half as good as I am. She is so strong and I really admire her.”

Ms Rogers has a hereditary condition polycystic kidney disease, which her daughters, aged 22, and 19, have inherited.

Her mother also suffers from the disease and it has claimed the lives of her grandfather, her great-aunt and aunt.

On Boxing Day, Mrs Cavanagh, aged 51, was admitted to hospital along with Ms Rogers, aged 45, for a double operation.

Ms Rogers, who lives in Hindley, said: “I am hoping I will now have a new lease of life. I haven’t been running for a long time but I would like to do something like that for charity. When Helen and I are both better, I would like to celebrate by going on a spa weekend together.”

For more information about transplants: visit organdonation.nhs.uk