A LITTLE boy who suffers from a rare disease has bounced back after a kidney transplant to take part in a national sporting event.

Joe Sudlow, 6, of Litham Way, Winsford, had little hope of survival before he was born after doctors discovered he had the rare congenial disease, prune belly syndrome.

His condition resulted in kidney failure and as a consequence he was delivered early.

His parents, Claire and Dennis Sudlow, were told he would have to go on kidney dialysis as soon as he was old enough.

“He surprised everyone,” said Claire, 33.

“As we went on week by week and he started to get stronger and in the end he never went on dialysis.”

Last October, the family were finally granted their wish and Claire was allowed to donate her kidney so that Joe could have his life saving transplant at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

“We’d always know either Dennis or I would donate to him,” she said.

“My husband went through all the tests, they take around six months, but at the end of it we found out he had diabetes, so I donated mine.

“The operation was so successful.

“He bounced back straight away.

“Doctors said they’d not done a a transplant as good as his for a long time.”

Joe’s condition means he has no stomach muscles so contact sports, such as football and rugby are too risky for him to compete in.

He has to drink three litres of water a day and can’t go more than 30 minutes without being hydrated.

However, his quick recovery from the transplant meant Jo was fighting fit to take part in the National Transplant Games in Bath two weeks ago, for his team, Alder Hey.

“He’s done so well,” added Claire.

“He competed in the obstacle course, 30 metre dash, long jump and the tug of war.

“It was only a small team, but a good one. They won gold in the tug of war.”

After taking a lot of time off school last year, Joe is now preparing to settle back into a routine and is set for the start of new term at High Street School this month.