A MAN who has received a life-saving kidney transplant said he is ‘forever grateful’ to his donor, with his family fundraising to help his recovery.

Dave Hucker, 40 and from Wimborne, was working as an electrician and living with his wife and three-month old daughter when he was suddenly diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

He said he noticed blood in his urine and immediately saw his GP who found high levels of protein and blood.

Shortly after he was diagnosed with stage three chronic kidney disease, which later progressed to stage five, and Dave began dialysis.

Dave with his wife Amie and daughter Elle (Image: Lorraine Wickens)

“It was a massive shock and very hard to process especially as we had a three-month-old baby to think about,” said Dave.

The treatment, which removes excess water, toxins and waste from the blood, can be done at home but Dave said he was concerned about infection and his daughter witnessing the process so instead visited hospital three times a week.

Dave was told the waiting list for a donor was two to three years, which he found “very disheartening” while he was battling sickness from the dialysis.

“The longer it went on, the harder it got especially as I was still trying and needed to work full time to support my family.”

Dave’s twin sister, Lorraine Wickens, said he is usually “life and soul” but the treatment made him tired and unable to be as present around his daughter as he wanted.

However, on September 23 Dave received a call in the middle of the night to say he had a donor.

Lorraine said ‘it was the most surreal moment of her life’ before she drove to take Dave to Portsmouth hospital.

She added that Dave was conflicted with emotions in the car: “He was like, someone's just died, and that's how they're helping.

“This is so sad, that poor family.”

After around nine hours in surgery Dave is now recovering with his family and is looking forward to spending Christmas with his loved ones without depending on dialysis.

“I will forever be grateful to the person and family who donated, it really is the most amazing gift and I will not take for granted this opportunity I have been given,” said Dave.

Rebecca Welch, a family friend, has since set up a Go Fund Me to support Dave, his wife, and almost two-year-old daughter, while he is recovering and unable to work.

The fundraiser titled ‘support Dave after his kidney transplant’ has so far raised over £2,000.