A father-of-three has received a life-saving transplant thanks to the mother of his young son’s best friend.

Ravi Nihal, 43, was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in 2015 and was put on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.

While he waited he had to endure gruelling dialysis three times a week.

He said: “When I was diagnosed I was very depressed and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. After years on the waiting list no suitable organs had been found.

“I had to give up the job I’d had for more than 20 years and it was a nightmare for my kids because, even though I tried to hide it, they could see I was in pain and I wasn’t able to do the things I used to do with them. I felt tired and ill all the time and had trouble sleeping.”

Ravi, from Gravesend, was amazed when Katy Ludlow, a woman he hardly knew, offered to donate her kidney to him last year. Her son Tobias and Ravi’s son Jay, both seven, were best friends, both attending Cecil Road Primary School. Thanks to their friendship, Katy got to know Ravi’s wife Ish while doing the school run.

Katy, 34, from White Avenue, Northfleet, said: “One day Ish was upset and told me about Ravi’s illness and her worries for their future. I felt very sorry for the family — they were in limbo until Ravi could have a transplant.

“Ravi didn’t usually do the school run but the odd time I saw him it was clear he was deteriorating.”

"I was gobsmacked — I couldn’t believe someone I didn’t know well would do that for me" - Ravi Nihal

In December, after mother-of-three Katy contacted Guy’s Hospital and established she was a match, the pair went under the knife.

Ravi, a former supervisor for National Grid UK, said: “I was gobsmacked — I couldn’t believe someone I didn’t know well would do that for me.

“When I woke up the first thing I asked was how Katy was. Within a couple of weeks I was feeling a lot better and now my kidney is working well, I’m a healthy colour and I’ve gained weight. I’m hoping to go back to work soon and plan a family holiday.

“Without Katy I couldn’t see a future in sight. She has done something most people I’ve known all my life wouldn’t have done. I’ll be forever grateful to her.”