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Naomi takes to the hills for kidney fund
Naomi (second left) with her mum Carol (far left) along with Morna, Jane and Ewan and kneeling front Charley and Jackson.
A BRAVE Forfar hairdresser who is about to receive a kidney from her mum took the high road to Clova on Monday to raise funds for the Tayside Kidney Comfort Fund.
Naomi Watson (42), of Mode, got on her bike with her partner, Ewan, and her friends Morna Saddler and Jane Cooper on a frosty morning to head to the hills for a 36-mile bike run to Clova and back.
The four got a rousing send off from pupils of her son Jackson’s primary four class at Whitehills School as they headed out of the school gates for a journey that was to take them just over four hours.
Naomi has a condition which means one of her kidneys is only functioning at 16 per cent.
She said: “I have had this for some time and last year realised things were not getting any better. It was sitting at 25 per cent and it is now functioning at 16 per cent so I am waiting to go in for a transplant.
“It’s not a straight forward match with my mum as our blood groups are incompatible - I will be one of only five people in Scotland to have this type of transplant.”
A keen runner, Naomi decided to take to the saddle to raise funds for the local Tayside Kidney Comfort Fund.
She continued: “I wanted to do something local. I have already raised £2,200 from family, friends and clients at the shop - it has been overwhelming”,
After an emotional re-union outside Whitehills Primary on her return, Naomi said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who made donations; their generosity is overwhelming.
“A massive thank you has to go to Jane, Morna and Ewan for doing this bike ride - they are stars, and to my family and friends for all their help and support over the last few months.
“Also to the mum of all mums - what would I do without her? A special thank you to her. I really can’t thank her enough for what she is doing.”
Proud mum Carol added: “When I heard Naomi was doing this sponsored cycle run I thought, ‘Oh No!’ But I knew she would do it. I am the proudest mum. She has done brilliant.”
As for her donation of a kidney to her daughter she added: “What mum wouldn’t do that for her daughter?”
Also on hand to welcome the cyclists back were Ewan’s parents John and Isobel Ross, and Naomi and Ewan’s children Charley (13) and Jackson (7).
Naomi also reminded people of the importance of carrying a donor card. They can be obtained online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
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Weather for Forfar
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
