GRIEVING mum Claire Newman will be supported by friends as she takes part in a poignant walk on Sunday in memory of the son she did so much to save from ill health.

Mrs Newman, 52, from Market Lavington will set out from The Wharf, Devizes at 8am on the day before what would have been her son John’s 32nd birthday.

John died in December nine years after his mother donated one of her kidneys to him. Her sacrifice allowed him to go on to meet a partner Tami and have a son Kai but eventually the former Lavington schoolboy lost his battle for life.

Now Mrs Newman is raising money for Kidney Research and to build awareness of organ donation.

So far her Justgiving total is £1,365.34 but she hopes it will eventually reach £2,000.

She said: “I will be thinking about John as we walk. It will be very poignant.

“But this is something I want to do. I haven’t done any training and we will be taking our time. I will be pleased as long as I complete the walk.”

The group will be wearing Kidney Research t-shirts and carrying donation boxes so hope to raise money as they walk along the tow path to their finish point at Pulteney Bridge, Bath.

Mrs Newman, who has two other grown-up sons, said: “I hope by raising money for Kidney Research and raising awareness about the urgent need for organ donors it may help others not to have go through the terrible heartache we are suffering.

Among the people who have sponsored her are Gaigers in Devizes while Brogans cafe is providing free packed lunches for the walkers.

She said: “I think about John all the time. I can’t believe he has gone. He is on my mind all day long.”

After the operation he made a quick recovery and set up home in Melksham. But when Kai was only about 18 months old Mr Newman started to feel ill again.

To support Mrs Newman go to her fundraising page justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-newman20