Leeds United fan with kidney transplant fundraising for dream of buying home

Daniel Skelton, 32, suffers from many different medical issues and underwent the transplant at St James' Hospital, Leeds, aged 23 following kidney disease.

Daniel, from Barwick In Elmet, takes daily medication to prevent rejection of his new kidney.

However, the original 13-year expectancy estimate for the transplant is almost over and Daniel has now launched a fundraiser to help him prepare for the future.

He said 'with age comes reflection' on everything he has missed due to his condition and he is now desperate to settle down with his partner and become comfortable in case anything goes wrong with his kidney.

Daniel told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he works hard and battles his condition daily but - with the uncertainty of being extremely vulnerable in the future - 'it would be great to raise support towards a deposit for a house'.

He said: "I have suffered with different medical issues.

"I was born with a hole in my heart and have had two operations when younger and have check ups every four years.

"I got Chrohn's disease when 17 and then got a kidney disease when 18 and had to have a transplant via the cadaveric donor list when 23 at St James’ hospital.

"I take daily medication to prevent rejection and combined tablets for that and my Chrohn's but manage to work full time and was blessed to have the transplant.

"My worry is that transplants don’t last forever.

"I have been on holidays and done what I can whilst having the opportunity, but with age comes reflection and all that is important to me now is getting a home for me and my partner and future family to live in and so they are secure whenever my kidney does reject and I need dialysis or a new one and complications from it.

"I generally battle through and don’t ask for help, but thought with the uncertainty of being extremely vulnerable and worries that brings, it would be great to find raise for support towards a deposit for a house.

"I will work myself towards it too and only ask for an amount that seems reasonable so I too contribute, but with the concerns around today having a home for the future is all that matters to me now.

"I can cope with health issues and setbacks l, but I want to have a place for my family to be and to call my own."

Crohn's disease is a long-term condition where the gut becomes inflamed.

Daniel said he works hard and didn't want to ask the public to help.

However, battles with his illness has forced him to attempt the opportunity to have a secure future.

Daniel added: "I would put half [of the money] to go to buying gifts to donate to a children’s charity or to take to Leeds hospitals for Christmas as it will be tough this year and children need gifts more than us adults to get through, that would also be my joint aim.

"I don’t like to ask for support and certainly don’t want sympathy as so many people are much worse off than me and I know that and appreciate what I have been able to do, but likewise if people are willing to help and I am honest and open about it having been tough with my health, then I am happy to not carry the weight of everything myself and open to support."

To visit the fundraiser, click here.

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Thank you

Laura Collins