For those people waiting for an organ transplant, the best Christmas present of all would be the gift of life. The Gazette’s Be A Star This Christmas campaign is all about getting people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. That simple gesture could give someone a very special gift indeed.

It was the hardest thank-you letter Roger Corbett had ever had to write, but he wanted to do it with all his heart.

He had been given the gift of life thanks to an anonymous kidney donor, and wanted to thank the family for doing such an amazing thing.

“It has given me the chance of a new lease of life,” explained Mr Corbett.

“I wanted to thank them for the gift they gave me.”

It may be four months since his kidney transplant operation, but it has not diminished his gratitude to the donor family who made that amazing decision when they were going through such heartache.

He describes the donor and their family as simply “fantastic” and will be forever grateful for the gift of life they gave him.

“It means that someone else’s loss was my gain and has given me a great big advantage in life,” stressed Mr Corbett, who lives in Sible Hedingham, near Halstead.

His life has already changed dramatically since the transplant, from looking forward to taking a holiday for the first time in five years with his wife Janet, to being able to eat the food he likes with no restrictions.

“I feel as if I could run a marathon now, but only age is stopping me.

“I am buzzing with energy,” he said with a big grin.

It was not until after the operation that retired police officer Mr Corbett, 62, realised just how ill he had become.

Before his operation, he would have been more likely to be snoozing in a chair in the afternoon than having the energy for a long chat with me.

“I never felt ill, ill, if you know what I mean, but I was slow and very lethargic,” he explained.

“I just thought I was getting older.”

He was fit and healthy throughout his police career, but had started to pass blood in his urine. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with end stage renal failure.

Remembering being told the news by the consultant, Mr Corbett said: “I took a big gulp of breath and thought ‘that’s me finished’, but he said it was not as bad as it sounds.”

He was put on a potassium-free diet, which meant no tomatoes, mushrooms, bananas and parsnips and if he wanted potatoes, they had to be parboiled twice.

“I also enjoyed a pint now and again but that went out the window, so I gave up drinking,” he added.

Eating out was a constant nightmare and if they were invited to friends for dinner, they would have to phone in advance to give dos and don’ts of what to serve.

So, what did he miss most on his restricted diet?

“Marmite and peanut butter,” he smiled.

“In fact, one of the first things I had after my operation was Marmite on toast for breakfast.”

With dried fruit being a potassium minefield, it also means for the first time in five years Mr Corbett will be able to tuck in to some Christmas pudding and Christmas cake this year.

“I will just be able to enjoy a normal Christmas dinner,” he said.

When is comes to noticing his improved health, probably no-one has seen such a transformation than his border collie Kallie.

From just managing to give Kallie a gentle 30-minute stroll once a day, Mr Corbett now walks for three times as long, plus playing football with the dog in the garden most afternoons.

“And when we are out, the dog can’t keep up with me now,” he smiled.

A keen golfer, his new lease of life has meant abandoning the electric trolley he needed to carry his clubs around when playing at Lords Golf Club, in Black Notley.

Without the transplant, Mr Corbett was facing a life of kidney dialysis and the restriction of going to a renal unit three times a week, waiting for the time he got the call to say they had a suitable donor.

He is one of the lucky ones who has been given that special gift of life from a stranger.

It truly is the greatest early Christmas present of all.

HOW TO JOIN THE ORGAN DONOR REGISTER

  • Call 0845 60 60 400
  • Visit uktransplant.org.uk
  • Pick up a leaflet from the Gazette offices in Colchester and Clacton
  • Text the word GIVE to 84118 (standard rates apply).

There are no age restrictions to join the register as a potential donor. Those agreeing to donate are asked to discuss their wishes with the people closest to them.