FIVE years ago Lucy Cort was diagnosed with kidney disease aged just 24.

Under the care of Prof Phil Kalra and his team at Salford Royal her condition — IgA Nephropathy — was managed with medication.

But then in February last year the condition got worse and after contracting food poisoning Miss Cort's kidneys started to fail.

She needed a transplant — but with 7,000 people a year competing for only 1,000 donor kidneys her chances were slim so her mum stepped in to see if she was a match.

the 29-year-old said: "I was very lucky that my Mum was a perfect match and was willing to donate.

"Many people are not so lucky. Kidney disease is much more prevalent in the UK than you realise.

"It does not discriminate on age, gender or ethnicity, everyone is at risk and it’s only when you are affected by it that you realise this and how hard it is to find a donor."

Now Miss Cort's friends and family are getting on their bikes to help treatment of kidney disease.

Estate agents from Miller Metcalfe will be part of the team riding a gruelling 126 miles along the Liverpool to Leeds canal.

Leading the Miller Metcalfe team — who are also raising money for Mummy’s Star which supports women and families affected by cancer during pregnancy — will be business owner John Fletcher.

He said: "We’re hoping as many people as possible will help us support these two amazing charities by sponsoring us. They may be small organisations but they tackle huge, life-changing issues and do incredible and selfless work for many families in our local area.

"It will be tough, but we are looking forward to helping these charities make a difference, and what a great sense of personal achievement that will give us as a reward.

"We know we’ll have a good laugh as well.”

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MillerMetcalfe