KIDNEY transplant patient Dick Cooke has been making the most of a Christmas without the need for a dialysis machine by tucking into red wine, Christmas cake and mince pies.

Mr Cooke, from Charlwood Road in Corsham, underwent an operation to receive a kidney from his family friend of more than 20 years, Victoria Conrad, at the beginning of December.

The successful transplant meant the 53-year-old father does not need to depend on a dialysis machine for several hours every day and is now able to enjoy all the kinds of food his body was unable to cope with before.

Mr Cooke lost his kidneys after four bouts of cancer and has been dependent on dialysis for the past four years.

He said despite doctors still adjusting the drugs he needs to take while on the road to recovery, he was doing ‘very well’ and had been given the go ahead to start running and swimming again.

He said: “Christmas was wonderful. It was quite quiet because my son Jimmy and his girlfriend were here and then it was myself and my wife Barbara.

“My parents also came over for dinner, which we ate quite late and then they got a taxi home to Westwood near Bradford on Avon so we were all able to have a drink.”

Mr Cooke said among some of the presents he received was a watch from Jimmy, 21 - coincidentally the battery of his previous watch ran out on Boxing Day.

He said: “It is slightly symbolic of a new era for me. Out with the old in and in with the new. It’s a fresh start.”

Mr Cooke said he had seen his donor, Mrs Conrad, also from Corsham, a few times since the operation and she was also doing well and said both of them wanted to express their appreciation to medics and staff at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where their operation took place.

To find out more about becoming an organ donor see www.uktransplant.org.uk or call 0845 60 60 400.