In 1947 when George Boddy married Maisie Salloway he had just completed ten years serving with the Household Cavalry and recently joined the Staffordshire Police Force.

In 1963 he was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and became a patient of the Royal Free Hospital. This was in the early days of home dialysis when all patients had to be within easy reach of the hospital. His determination and discipline made him the ideal person to trial dialysis 150 miles from base. He, and Maisie, made a big contribution to the development of the system.

George was still a serving Police Officer when he died in 1974.

Maisie remarried and had another 32 years of happy marriage with Arthur Oakden. In 2008 she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and associated renal failure. She died in July 2008.

George and Maisie were my parents.

In the last photo, taken a few months before she died, you can see me, my mother and my son. I inherited my father's PKD and, thanks to all those who have been involved in research, as both patients and medical staff, and the concern and generosity of complete strangers offering organs for transplantation. I had a kidney transplant in 1986. It is still functioning today (September 2008) and has given me a life I could never have anticipated.

Amongst other things, I am a designer of unusual knitted items. Some of the money for this fund is currently generated by pattern sales of a design that was particularly relevant to my mother. To read the full story and see our fund-raising patterns visit the Tribute page at www.woollythoughts.com.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kidney Research UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

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