LIFE turned upside down for Katie Irving when she was diagnosed with permanent kidney failure following a bout of flu last year, reports Justin Hawkins.

"It came out of the blue, I had never been ill in my life before. One minute I was fine the next minute I had kidney failure," said Katie.

With the help of friends, family and boyfriend Duncan, she has adjusted well to the radical change in lifestyle caused by the vasculitis which took her to death's door and left her dependent on three kidney dialysis sessions a week, each lasting up to four-and-a-half hours.

Now, as she and her family get ready for a transplant operation which will see her father, Hugh, donate one of his kidneys to make her better, the 22-year-old is planning to raise money for Westmorland General Hospital's dialysis unit.

Several local firms have already agreed to help and Katie is aiming to raise enough money to replace all 11 units.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Katie can make a donation to the Katie Irving dialysis account at the Yorkshire Bank in Kendal or call 01539-724892.

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