'We were brought together in tragedy but even though I don't know you - you have saved my life'

A teenager who underwent a kidney transplant following a legal battle has thanked his donor’s family for saving his life.

William Verden, 17, was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. He was being kept alive through dialysis but his family were told that he only had a year at most before the treatment would stop working.

His mum Amy McLennan launched a legal challenge after Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said that offering the boy a transplant was not in his best interest. She branded the decision a "death sentence" and joined forces with human rights lawyers Irwin Mitchell to win a High Court battle for a kidnap transplant.

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After a legal battle saw them succeed in the High Court, though, William was able to have a transplant. Earlier this month the family were contacted by doctors to say a suitable kidney had become available from someone who had died. William underwent surgery the following day.

William said: “To my donor’s family who sadly lost their loved one, thank you for saving my life. You gave me life when my life was almost over. You gave me the last thing you could ever give and I’ll be forever so grateful.

“We were brought together in tragedy and while I don’t know you we’re now part of each other. It’s because of you that I can live my best life. Please take comfort in knowing you’ve changed my life in so many ways. This is the biggest gift I’ve ever received.”

Amy, of Lancaster, believed the original decision not to offer her son a transplant was made because he sometimes finds dealing with medical treatment difficult due to his autism. William is now recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery