A BRECONSHIRE family have penned a moving piece of music to say thankyou to

the family of a 12-year-old boy who is the reason they are all here today.

Paul Silcox, from Bwlch, had a kidney transplant over 30 years ago and went

on to become a track star at the Transplant Games, but the 58-year-old had

always believed that the donated kidney had come from a middle-aged pilot.

It wasn't until two years ago that Paul and his family discovered the truth

- that the kidney had in fact been donated by the family of a 12-year-old

boy who was knocked off his bike and killed by a motorist.

Now Paul, a member of Brecon Male Voice Choir (BMVC), is hoping to strike

the right chord with the anonymous boy's family by dedicating a piece of

music to the young donor, with the help of his own family.

His wife Claire wrote the lyrics to the song, while talented young accompanist Chris Langworthy wrote the music.

Paul said: "The reason I'm here today is because of that little lad and me

and my family wanted to do something.

"His kidney enabled me to lead a normal life and enjoy all the things we

normally take for granted."

Despite his heart-felt efforts, Paul admitted he would probably never be

able to thank is young donor's family enough.

"With the young boy dying it must have been such a difficult time for his

mother, but what a fabulous thing to do, especially under the circumstances.

"I know the chances of finding the boy's mum are remote but I wanted to do

this just to say thanks personally but also to the other donor families and

on behalf of the families who have received transplants too."

Paul hopes the song, which will be ready to record in February, will become

part of Brecon MVCs repertoire.

Paul also said the song, called 'Gift of Life', is due for release on March

5, which will happily coincide with World Kidney Week, and he hopes sales of

it will raise funds for Kidney Research UK.

Neil Turner, chairman of the charity, said: "Paul is going to great lengths

to do what he feels is right and thank his donor's family, an indication of

what the transplant has meant to him.

"While transplantation is currently the best form of treatment available to

kidney patients, it's important to stress that a transplant is by no means a

cure for kidney disease.

"A staggering 7,000 people in the UK are currently waiting for a kidney

transplant and much more research is needed if we are to help these people

and eradicate kidney disease once and for all."

Paul was diagnosed with Chronic Nephritis in 1975, aged just 22, and had to

wait two years before finally receiving a kidney transplant.

After suffering from headaches, fatigue, nausea and joint pain, it was

discovered Paul's kidneys had all but stopped working.

He was confined to a wheelchair and put on dialysis for eight hours a day,

three times a week.

He was too weak to walk upstairs and had to be placed on a restricted diet,

which meant he could only drink half a cup of liquid a day.

After 18 months on dialysis a kidney became available and the transplant was

a success.

Paul went on to be a success at the World and British Transplant Games,

claiming over 40 medals during a 17-year career.

He competed at the very first World Transplant Games in

Portsmouth in 1978 - barely a year after having his kidney transplant

operation.