HEART-LUNG transplant recipient Wendy Hellewell raised a glass at the weekend to say "cheers" to the anonymous donor who gave her the gift of life.

With her daughter Kay and other close family members she dined out in style to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her life-saving operation at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

Brave Wendy of Braithwaite Street, North Shore, Blackpool, said: "My daughter always takes me out for a meal on my transplant anniversary and I always get lots of cards on the day so it's really like having a second birthday."

From birth Wendy, who is now 53, suffered from a genetic lung disease which eventually reached the point where her life was in danger and doctors decided a transplant was the only remaining option.

Donor organs became available and on October 20, 1991, she became the hospital's 129th transplant recipient.

Wendy added: "I am now in pretty good shape and manage to get out for a walk most days. Most weekends my daughter takes me out shopping and I always look forward to that."

Wythenshawe Hospital's New Heart-New Start appeals manager Ann Stuart said: "Success stories such as Wendys emphasise the continuing demand for donor organs.

"Without the generosity of donor families transplant operations would simply not be possible."

The appeal is currently setting its sights on its Mission 2000 fund-raising targets - to raise money for operations over and above those funded by the Government and to develop a dedicated transplant research programme.

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