A SON has given his father the best Christmas present ever — the gift of life.

Paul Pritchard could no longer bear to see his dad, Michael, suffering from acute kidney failure.

So he offered to donate one his healthy organs — and the father and son from Breightmet, Bolton, are now recovering in hospital after transplant surgery.

Michael, aged 53, said: “I’m really chuffed and so proud of him. I was frightened at first and didn’t want him to go through it. He has got four kids, but he was determined.

“I was giving up hope of getting a donor. He is the best son you could have. It is a good Christmas present and there’s nothing I can do to thank him enough.”

Paul, aged 30, said: “I wanted to give him a better quality of life. If I can help someone, I will. He has been really ill — the worse he got the more I thought about it. I was worried for him and wanted to help.”

Michael, of Blenheim Road, Breightmet, has been diabetic since the age of 17 and has suffered a range of associated complications. Kidney and pancreas problems have meant he has needed dialysis three times a week for seven years.

He was put on the transplant list in 2002 and his family were twice told he was the back-up patient for an organ, but it went to someone else.

The father-of-three had a heart attack in April, 2007, and subsequently had a quadruple heart bypass operation. During the surgery, he suffered a stroke in his optic nerves, causing him to go blind.

His wife, Julie, had tests to see if her kidneys were compatible, but they were not, and Paul put himself forward.

After months of tests, the father and son were due to have the operation in July but Michael was not well enough.

They finally underwent 10 hours of surgery at the Manchester Royal Infirmary on December 10.

Paul, of Aldercroft Avenue, Top o’ th’ Brow, said: “Everyone keeps saying how brave I have been but I just see it as a normal thing to do, to help my dad. I am looking forward to seeing him have a better life.”

Paul, who has four children, Morgan, aged 10, Paddy, aged five, Pixie, aged two and Paul, aged eight months, lives with his partner, Emma Tanham, aged 27.

Michael, a grandfather-of-nine, is now looking forward to the future.

He said: “I feel good — I’m on top of the world.

“It is early days but this will make a big difference. No more dialysis will give me more freedom to eat and drink and go away, it’s brilliant.”

Julie, aged 50, said: “I’m so proud of Paul and I couldn’t be happier. Michael was deteriorating but this gives him a chance.”

Paul’s twin sisters, Paula and Tracey, aged 32, echoed her sentiments, with Paula adding: “It is fantastic of him and so brave. He has given the gift of life.”

Paul went home yesterday and Michael may be allowed home today.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk