A kidney disease patient has helped organise a musical bonanza in memory of his childhood friend who also suffered with the condition.

Stephen Emmerson met school pal Kevin Morgan at the age of 13, with their friendship blossoming over their love of mod music in the 80s.

Sadly, Kevin died in 2017 but as a tribute to his friend for always being there for him, Stephen and Kevin’s family and friends hosted a mod music gig to raise more than £1,250 for the Renal Department at the Northern General Hospital.

Kevin and I supported each other through the ups and downs of kidney disease...

Stephen said: “I knew Kevin since I was aged 13, when I met him at secondary school. He was a great friend as we had so many things in common, particularly music, and he always made me laugh and was great company.

“Having been diagnosed with kidney disease in the 1980s, Kevin supported me very well when I was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis - a group of diseases that injure the part of the kidney that filters blood - in 2003.

“My kidney function was only eight per cent, so I started life saving dialysis that night. I needed a transplant so my late mum and sister had tests to see if they could donate a kidney, but unfortunately they weren’t a match, so I was added onto the transplant list.

“My first transplant was only successful for a short space of time; however my second transplant - which I had in 2011, is still going strong. It has made a huge difference to the quality of my life and I am so grateful to both my deceased donors.

“Kevin and I supported each other through the ups and downs of kidney disease. Unfortunately, he passed away in June last year. As a tribute and as he was such a popular guy who was well known on the mod scene and at Leeds United who he followed home and away for many years, we hosted a music gig in his memory.

He was well known for his awful jokes...

“His mum, family and friends wanted everyone to remember him. He was well known for his awful jokes – one of his last one liners was: "I've just ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I will let you know”.

“He is missed by so many and it's not the same when the lads go out to see some bands and he is not there, but I'm sure he’s up there partying and having a pint with us.

“During my time as a kidney patient I cannot thank the NHS enough. All of the consultants, the surgeons, and the dialysis nurses - without them I would not be here today."

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