A Beckhampton couple involved in a kidney swap operation last year have praised the Devizes gym where they have been recovering their fitness.

Chris Burgin donated a kidney to his wife Janet Surr in July last year and staff at Route 2 Fitness at Hopton Industrial Estate in Devizes have been helping them back to health.

Ms Surr, 50, said: “I first started having kidney trouble as a teenager but it was two years ago that I was told I would have to start having dialysis.

“My husband and I run our own toymaking business from home and to have to go and get dialysis treatment twice a week would have made things very difficult for us.

“So Chris offered to give me one of his kidneys and fortunately it was compatible. We had the operation at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in July last year and we have been returning to fitness ever since.”

Mr Burgin, 59, said: “The kidney donation was a bit of a breeze. They used keyhole surgery so I didn’t have to get over a huge gash across my abdomen.

“I was lucky enough to meet a couple who had already gone through it so the bloke was able to explain it all in layman’s terms to me.

“Going to Route 2 Fitness has been very helpful. Jayne, the owner, has been giving us a lot of help. The gym gives you the feeling that you are not just one of a large number, but you are special and they think about your particular issues.”

Ms Surr added: “I put a large percentage of our quick recovery down to Jayne. Had it not been for her I could have done too much and hurt myself or not enough and taken much longer to recover.”

Jayne Hadden, the owner of Route 2 Fitness, said: “Janet and Chris have been remarkable. When Janet first came back to us after her operation she could do practically nothing and now she is able to do it all.”

Ms Hadden has been training the couple in Boxercise, using the kind of training that boxers undergo before fights.

Route 2 Fitness has been getting involved in the Government’s Change 4 Life initiative and is offering a special deal of £4.99 a week for the first 75 people who apply to join during the period of the offer. Ring the gym on 0800 9520 529.