Proud wife of man who successfully donated kidney to her brother says it was fate they met

When Lee Bellwood, from Thatto Heath, discovered that his brother-in-law Iain Fearon-Matley needed a life-changing kidney transplant, he had no qualms about putting himself forward to test if he was a potential match.

Iain’s brother and sister came back as negative matches so it turned out Lee would be the best shot as a donor.

Iain with Stephanie and his son Elliot

Despite being a dad-of-three Lee said he wouldn’t back down from the operation to help his brother-in-law Iain, 33.

Their operations took place on Tuesday, May 3, with Lee being operated on in the Liverpool Royal before his kidney was driven to the Royal Free Hospital in London to be transplanted into his brother-in-law Iain.

The pair are now recovering.

Laura Bellwood, Iain’s sister and Lee’s wife said: “Tuesday was a stressful day, but knowing they are both in recovery now and that they are OK just means everything to us.

“Lee is from Leeds originally, we have two children together and he’s an amazing partner and dad, but now we say it’s definitely fate that our paths crossed because of what he’s done now for Iain as well.

“I’m just so proud of him.

“After a delay Lee went in for his operation after 1pm yesterday, so the kidney only got to Iain around 7pm and he was only our of surgery at 1am this morning.”

Laura and Lee

Talking to the Star ahead of his operation, dad-of-one Iain said: “I’ve had kidney difficulties since I was 10 weeks old and have been monitored all of my life.

“I was fine until six or seven years ago, when it was discovered that the remaining kidney had 20 per cent functionality, which went down to 10 per cent, resulting in me needing to start dialysis last year.”

His doctors assured him that the best option was a kidney donation, so he put out the call to his family and friends.

Restaurant manager Iain said: “It was nerve-wracking to do, but my brother and sister came forward to be tested along with some other family members and sadly came back negative, but then I was told my brother-in-law, who I’d not known had put himself forward to be tested – actually came up as the best match.

“I said there was no pressure, he’s a dad-of-three and he can back out any time, but he said no and honestly to me he’s just a legend.”

Lee, 47, who works at Coop in Lea Green, added: “Obviously my wife Laura told me all about what was happening with Iain and I felt terrible for the lad.

“He’s a dad to a one-year-old little boy now and he’s a lovely lad so me and my wife had the conversation and both put ourselves down to be tested to see if either of us were a match to help him.

“I’ll be honest, I thought Laura or their brother would be a closer match, but it turned out to be me, but obviously he’s family so it wasn’t even a question in my mind.

“At the end of the day I know we are both in for some recovery time, but I’ve been part of this family for seven years and never had a problem with any of them, they are good people and I’m just helping in whatever way I can.”