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Allan received the devastating diagnosis that he had IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; a terminal lung condition) in 2014 and shortly afterwards was on oxygen. He carried on working and enjoying life with his family including going on a holiday to America; this is when his stubbornness became an asset!

IPF patients are not normally accepted for lung transplants but through a fortunate sequence of events, Allan was invited to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester for tests in February 2015. This was the start of a long relationship with the staff there and Allan and Joy were made to feel very welcome. Luckily, at age 58, Allan was viable for a transplant of his left lung.

Over the next 18 months, Allan and Joy made many trips to Wythenshawe for check-ups and the staff there became their second family. They introduced the staff to Welsh Cakes and shared other food favourites with them, forging a long lasting bond which continues today.

On Friday 5^th August 2016, family and friends came together to celebrate a double milestone; Allan and Joys blessing celebrating 40 years of marriage and for Allan’s 60^th birthday. It was a few days later on Tuesday 9^th August that Allan received the much anticipated phone call at 6.30am when at work. He was asked to travel to Manchester to be a back-up donor recipient, as the donor lungs would initially be tested for someone needing two lungs. Allan and Joy travelled the long journey as family anxiously waited for news.

Allan was extremely lucky that only one of the donor lungs were viable so he received the transplant. Luckier still because 60 is the usual cut off for lung transplants. The transplant operation went well and Allan surprised staff by being sat up having a cup of tea 24 hours later. It was also a great relief that Allan found out a couple of days later that the original recipient had also since received a transplant. Allan stayed at Wythenshawe for about 5 weeks and Joy was fortunate to be able to stay in one of the bungalows paid for by the New Start charity, allowing her to be close by. Allan and Joy’s sons were also grateful to be able to stay there their families and be able to spend time supporting both Allan and Joy.

Allan went on the enjoy life without oxygen, going back to work and even went on a couple of cruises. It was a fantastic 4 years that everyone was grateful beyond words to have. Unfortunately, Allan’s body started rejecting the lung. He had to go back on oxygen and started deteriorating.  passing away at the start of covid on 25^th March 2020.

Allan was always grateful for the opportunity to extend his life, as were his family and friends. He was much loved and the support of the New Start charity is something that we will all be thankful for.

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