Bradford mum Stephanie Jamieson has been handed the gift of life - by her brother Stewart.

When Stephanie was told she needed a kidney transplant, Stewart became her donor - and the pair are now recovering from successful transplant operations.

But their relief is tinged with sadness at the memory of their sister Janet who died following a kidney transplant 20 years ago.

Stephanie, now 39, was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 18 - but delayed having a transplant for seven years.

Devastated at the death of her 20-year-old sister Janet following a kidney transplant, she could not face the same operation.

"A year after Janet died I was told I had kidney failure," said Stephanie.

"But I was horrified at her death and I'd lie awake at night thinking I was going to die too.

"I went on dialysis which had a dramatic effect on my life.

"It restricts diet and movement. I could never just go out spontaneously. Everything had to be prepared."

Eventually, Stephanie was persuaded by doctors to have a transplant.

After a three-month wait she received an anonymous kidney donation.

"It transformed my life," she said. "I looked and felt so much better and could lead a normal life without dialysis."

Stephanie went on to have a baby, Luke, after the transplant. But two years ago she discovered her kidneys were failing again.

Last year Stewart was found to be an organ match and he and Stephanie have now undergone transplant operations at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

"I had mixed emotions," said Stephanie.

"I was caught between being really happy that I had a donor, and worried Stewart was risking his health. And it was traumatic for my mother when we both underwent operations on the same day, especially after losing my sister. Stewart did a wonderful thing for me."

For Stewart, 29, the reward is seeing Stephanie healthy again.

"I became a donor because I hated seeing Stephanie hooked up to a machine. She deserved better," he said.

"Recovery is a slow process but it is worth three months out of my life to see my sister enjoy a better quality of life.

"I was worried how my wife and baby son would cope if I was poorly with the operation.

"But apart from a muscle spasm which put me in hospital for a few days, I've been fine."

Now Stephanie and Stewart are raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.

"Since the organ scandal at Alder Hey and other hospitals, organ donation has gone down," said Stewart.

"But there are people crying out for transplants. When our sister died 20 years ago there weren't the medical advances there are now.

"It's a different situation today - organ donations save lives.

"Everybody should carry a donor card."