I donated my kidney to help a stranger - for them it was 'lightning bolt' news

A grandfather from Aberdeen has described how he decided to donate a kidney to a stranger in need of help.

Ian Rodger, from Aberdeen, said he was inspired to donate after reading about people dying while on organ waiting lists.

His kidney went to someone needing treatment in Birmingham - which was described as "lightning bolt" news for the recipient.

The 58-year-old self-employed architect said he wanted to tell his story to raise awareness of living organ donation, and how other people could help those in need.

"We have two - we only need one," he said.

According to NHS Blood and Transplant, the UK transplant waiting list has reached record levels, with more than 8,200 people still waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

More than 6,500 of those on the transplant waiting list are in need of a kidney.

Ian, originally from Anstruther in Fife, started looking into the possibility of organ donation about two years ago.

He said information around waiting lists and deaths had stuck with him.

"I just thought 'I can do something here'," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime.

The process of taking "very thorough" tests - both physical and psychological - to make sure he was suitable to donate got under way.

Ian said his family were initally "stunned, shocked and surprised" by his decision.

However they had the "reassurance" of ongoing health checks before and after the operation.

"They were behind me," he said. "I had nothing but support. It needed their full support."

Before the operation in Edinburgh, he attended a session with previous donors and recipients.

"I was in tears, it was amazing," he recalled, as it had been "life-changing" for them.

"What moved me was the transformation."

His operation was towards the end of 2025.

"There's a link formed as soon as I'm told that there's a recipient who's desperately in need of a kidney," he said.

"I stopped playing badminton, I didn't want to hurt myself, and stop this operation happening. I was looking out for them.

"There was a simultaneous blood test - two weeks later the operation happened."

Ian explained: "I went down to Edinburgh full of excitement, and that helps your recovery.

"You don't know who it's gone to.

"The recipient was Tier One, in other words really, really desperately needing a kidney.

"They had been told the chances were they would not manage to have a compatible kidney, so a lightning bolt I think was how the co-ordinator described my kidney matching."

His kidney was flown to Birmingham the same day.

He said it was all a "journey which was definitely worth taking".

"The link is forged, the icing on the cake would be a letter from the recipient, that would really make my day," he said.

"It's not essential, I'm just happy I've done this. It wasn't a big deal operation-wise. I feel so so good, I've helped somebody.

"It's such a rewarding thing to have done. They will remain in my thoughts and prayers."