A MUM who needed two kidney transplants - including one from her husband - is now paying forward the kindness of the stranger who donated the gift of life.

Nicola Wood was diagnosed with Reflux Nephropathy as a baby, a type of kidney scarring.

In her early 30s her kidneys began to fail and she needed dialysis, then two kidney transplants.

Now Nicola, her husband David and 11-year-old daughter India will be walking and running 12,000 steps a day for 12 days to fund life-saving research.

The family is getting involved in the Kidney Research UK Step Into Christmas challenge and have timed it to end on December 14, to mark six years since Nicola’s second kidney transplant.

It will also mark the anniversary of her first kidney transplant from husband David, which took place on December 15, 2005.

Nicola, from Hamilton said: “This event is the perfect way to celebrate my kidney transplants – one on December 14 and one on December 15.

“My first transplant from David was fine at first and then began slowly declining.

"It showed signs of rejection, then failed quite quickly.”

Nicola then had hospital dialysis for five years, alongside working full time.

She had just begun home dialysis when she received the telephone call saying there was a kidney donor match.

“The difference is incredible,” the 48-year-old added.

“It means I can now keep up with my young daughter with her energy.

"Before the second transplant, I was either on dialysis, working, or in bed sleeping. All since India was about five years old. It was tough for the whole family.”

Now, Nicola gets involved in all sorts of activities, which has even seen her white-water rafting, bungee jumping and climbing Ben Nevis to raise money for Kidney Research UK.

Joining her remotely on the Step Into Christmas Challenge will be nine of Nicola’s work colleagues from South Lanarkshire Council where she has worked in the housing department for 27 years.

Marc Shaw, head of community and events at Kidney Research UK, said: "Thank you to the Wood family and to the amazing team who work with Nicola at South Lanarkshire Council, for joining us to Step into Christmas for us this December.

“This year has been hard for everyone, and we’re grateful for supporters like Nicola, her family and work team for their fantastic commitment to helping us fight to end kidney disease.

“Step into Christmas is our new campaign and we’re asking everyone to complete 12,000 steps for 12 days, host a Christmas quiz or join us on Christmas Jumper Day.

"Anyone, anywhere can join in, we can’t wait to see how everyone gets on.”

For more details see: kidneyresearchuk.org/fundraising-events/step-into-christmas