A little girl from Langley will meet Santa Claus for the first time this Christmas - after a kidney donated by a relative saved her life.

Chloe Smith, four, waited almost three years for the transplant after a wilms tumour meant both her kidneys had to be removed.

Mum, Laura Peart, aged 38, says: “It impacted our whole lives. Chloe was only one when she started dialysis and it meant travelling to hospital in London four days a week and eventually she had dialysis at home five days a week.

“Chloe was often ill and very fatigued. She couldn’t eat and had little or no energy so we struggled to have days out as a family. Her health was a severe and constant worry to myself, Chloe’s father and her older brother.

“Christmas was always a challenge as she would often become poorly. I would do her dialysis Christmas eve and Boxing Day and even Christmas day I would be preparing the machine for the day after. On her non dialysis days she would be ok for a few hours and then the fatigue and sickness would kick in.

“All our lives have been completely transformed, there isn’t the right amount of words available to convey how grateful we are to my amazing cousin and to the NHS. To see Chloe now is utterly amazing, her true personality has shone through.

“We are hoping to go on holiday next year. Chloe will finally start school in reception in April and as she is so excited about this."

There are currently 6,186 patients in need of an organ transplant in the UK and 185 of them are children. Many need heart transplants but this depends on potential donors letting their families know their wishes.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are urging everyone in Berkshire to take a moment to think about the people who will spend their Christmas hoping for just one thing; a life saving organ transplant.

“Please let your family know what your organ donation decision is.

“A quick chat can save lives."