Ref. 11874THIS year certainly looks happier and healthier for kidney patient Rob Vincent. The 31-year-old from Taunton Close, Chippenham, received a new kidney from his father Eddie in September and has been making the most of his new-found vitality, by running around after his two sons, eight-year-old Ciaran and Ben, 13.

"Last Christmas wasn't great because I felt really ill and had so little energy," explained Rob.

"But since the transplant I've been feeling better and better.

"I now have my get-up-and-go back, which has meant I've been able to do things like giving Ciaran a helping hand with his new bike.

"I've really enjoyed playing with him and Ben like I used to, before my condition got bad."

Rob also revealed how his appetite has returned with a vengeance and his weight has gone up by almost two stone. "Whereas I was really underweight before, I am now eating really well and my weight is going back up steadily," he said.

"My mum couldn't believe it when I ate a huge dinner and then three puddings on Christmas Day."

Rob and his dad Eddie, who is 55 and lives in Dauntsey Lock, near Chippenham, went under the knife at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, after tests revealed Eddie was an ideal tissue match for his chronically-ill son.

Rob suffers from the debilitating condition Reflux Nephropathy, which occurs when urine is directed the wrong way from the bladder and back into the kidneys.

The operation came a year after doctors warned the family that without a transplant, his kidneys would fail.

During the delicate three-hour operation, surgeons removed one of Eddie's kidneys before slotting it into Rob's body, alongside his failing kidneys.

Both men were then able to operate on one healthy kidney each and just a week later, surgeons gave Rob the green light to return home.

Although he will have to take a cocktail of anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life, Rob's body has adapted well to the new organ and his whole family are now keeping their fingers crossed that his condition is under control.

"The past year has been very fraught," said his wife Kerry, 32. "But touch wood, Rob will continue to come on in leaps and bounds.

"He's had a minor stomach infection, but he sees the doctors every fortnight and is doing very well.

"The only problem we face is knowing we will have to pay around £60 a month for his drugs, indefinitely, as we have been told he cannot get help with paying for his prescriptions, which we think is very wrong.

"Despite that, we're just pleased that he's putting on weight and is feeling so good. And the kids loved having their dad back playing with them properly this Christmas."

Rob is also hoping to be well enough to return to his job as an operative at Honda in Swindon, later this month.

"I just want to get my life back on track," he said.

"And I'm also hoping to be well enough to start motorcycle racing again in the summer."

Meanwhile, sons Ciaran and Ben are just glad to have their dad on his way back to his best.

"Daddy has been playing with me on my PlayStation and has been out in the road pushing me my new bike," said Ciaran.

"He also put my train set together and ate lots of turkey just like he used to."