A HAMPSHIRE schoolboy has become one of the first children in the UK to take part in a “paired” kidney transplant.

Tom Allfree underwent the revolutionary new procedure after his uncle, Bill Allfree, flew over from his home in Spain to see if he could donate one of his own kidneys.

Mr Allfree turned out to be a suitable match for someone else who needed a transplant.

Another recipient was found for Tom – and all the operations took place at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital in Lambeth on the same day.

Paired kidney transplants take place after a potential donor and recipient turn out to be incompatible. Both are matched with two other people in the same situation, often resulting in life-saving operations that would not otherwise have taken place.

Tom, 11, of Fareham, was referred to the hospital early last year after months of dialysis.

A hospital spokesman said: “Tom’s parents wanted to donate one of their own kidneys but neither of them was an ideal match.

“Tom’s uncle was also an unsuitable match. However, tests showed he was a good match for another recipient in the UK’s ‘paired kidney’ pool.

“This became a three-way swap with everyone having surgery on the same day to ensure the time-sensitive procedure went ahead without any problems.

“If one of the participants had become even slightly unwell ahead of the surgery the whole process would have been unable to go ahead.”

Tom, a pupil at Redlands Primary School in Fareham, said: “I’m really happy to have received my new kidney, and the doctors and nurses at the hospital have been really kind.

“While I was at Evelina I was talking with my classmates on Skype, so I’m really happy to be back at school.”

His mother Sarah added: “Before his transplant, with all the dialysis involved, things were quite difficult and exhausting – especially for Tom. This caused a lot of disruption both at home and at school as it was so time consuming.

“It was an amazing feeling to know he had been accepted on the scheme.

“Things are still quite hectic following the transplant but Tom and our family are doing well and we hope his experience can help raise awareness of this procedure for other families in the same situation.”

Professor Nizam Mamode, a consultant transplant surgeon at the hospital, said Tom was one of the first children to undergo the new procedure.

He added: “We’re immensely pleased that this pioneering transplant has gone well and are excited about being able to offer this service to other patients in a similar situation.”