Boys saved by medics at Glasgow hospital return for fundraising celebration

What happened: Anthony and Louise McFaulds were living in Elgin last year when their two boys Sam (now 5) and Leo (now 9) became dangerously ill with the infection which led to HUS, a rare complication which affects the kidneys.

After a few days it became clear that they both needed to be transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow for specialist treatment.

Louise said: “We are so grateful to the Royal Hospital for Children and the amazing staff for everything they did for our boys. Without them, they wouldn’t be here today.

“After a period of dialysis, Sam recovered but it soon became clear that Leo would need ongoing dialysis and ideally a transplant.”

Move to Glasgow: The successful transplant took place in the RHC in February 2021 and the whole experience led the family to make some dramatic decisions and move back down from Elgin to be closer to the hospital.

Louise was delighted she was a match and was able to donate one of her kidneys to her son.

She said: “It was clear that the boys would need ongoing care and the hospital was central to that. The thought of living far away from the Royal Hospital for Children was terrifying so we moved back to and are now just 20 minutes away. This gives us peace of mind, knowing we have their support so nearby.”

Fundraiser: As well as meeting their doctor Ben Reynolds, the family were able to cheer on Tom Goodwin, who is walking from Land’s End to John O‘Groats for Kidney Research UK.

Tom was born with four kidneys and had to undergo a life-saving operation aged just ten months. Thirty two years on he is fit and healthy and walking 1000 miles to raise money for the charity and above all, raise awareness of kidney disease, which affects one in seven people in Scotland.

Tom said: “For the size of a city like Glasgow, that’s around 90,000 people will have a kidney problem at some time – enough people to fill Ibrox and Hampden at the same time.

“I support Kidney Research UK as I was so lucky and I want to give something back.”

Dr Ben Reynolds, a paediatric nephrologist – child kidney doctor – was also there to meet Tom.

Dr Reynolds said: “It was great to meet Tom and see Leo and Sam running about and doing so well. They have come a long way.

“What Tom is doing is incredible – walking the length of the UK. As well as raising lots of money, he’s also got people talking about kidneys, what they do and things that can go wrong. He is a great example of people who can come through kidney treatment and live long, healthy lives.”