A NIECE is showing support for her uncle who underwent a kidney transplant.

Emma Disney and her daughter Ashleigh are skydiving on the third anniversary of her uncle Mike May’s transplant.

Mike was diagnosed with kidney disease about eight years ago after having a routine health check.

Mrs Disney, 35, of Beechwood Close, Colchester, said it was a huge shock. She said: “We didn’t understand the extent of it as it was completely out of the blue, then he had bouts of being quite unwell and we saw changes in him.

“It was a pretty traumatic time, he had to have dialysis three times a week.

“It was really horrific for him, it took quite a long time for him to get a donor as he was on and off of the transplant list.”

As well as the surprising diagnosis, about a year into his dialysis Mike faced another setback when he had to give up his business due to treatment.

Mrs Disney said: “He had a military clothing business which he had to give up as he was spending too much time in hospital.

“It was a terribly worrying time as his business was a big part of the income.”

After four years of treatment and fears he would lose his family home due to being put out of work, Mike was offered a transplant. His niece said: “We got the call about the transplant in the middle of the night, there were tears and I was shaking.

“He contacted the donor to say thank you, as we never thought the day was going to come.”

While he was in hospital, he became involved with a group set up by patients to support others like him.

To show their support, Emma and her daughter Ashleigh, 16, are doing a skydive to raise funds for the charity.

She said: “He became quite actively involved with the National Kidney Federation which helped him. He became a good advocate for patients, it kept him busy and he stayed positive.

“We said we wanted to do something quite big with fundraising, my daughter is over the moon and she can’t wait to do it, she’s a bit of a thrill-seeker.

“I’m terrified but we said it was something we wanted to do together – we wanted to challenge ourselves and show him how much he is valued.

“He’s a proud and hardworking man, he’s loving being back at work at a Sainsbury’s store and having gained his independence again.”

Mike faced a few bumps after the transplant with his medication, but he is now on a full road to recovery.

The skydive will take place on July 1 after Ashleigh finishes her GCSEs at St Benedict’s College in Colchester. The pair will have the support of Emma’s husband Aaron, a staff sergeant for the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, and her three other children – Brandon 12, Hayden, ten, and Alfie, five.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/EmmaDisney.