Kidney machine appeal launched by Blackburn's new mayor

He also hopes to raise awareness of renal disease and the need for organ donors after his wife Sayeeda had to wait six years for a suitable match.

Coun Mulla’s Blackburn & Darwen Kidney Care Appeal hopes to raise between £25,000 and £50,000 to buy one or possibly two kidney dialysis machines to join the one now located at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The new equipment would join the unit when it moves from its prefabricated home to new permanent accommodation at the hospital in 2015.

The Queen’s Park councillor, who is installed as Mayor next week, is running the appeal with Blackburn with Darwen Kidney Support Group and the support of the borough’s clinical care group.

His interest in the issue was sparked eight years ago when his wife developed kidney disease and had to wait six years to find a match for a transplant.

It intensified when council worker Lynn Hindle, a kidney disease suffer, died four years ago.

He said: “My wife is doing very well. She has got her life back and I have got my wife back and my children their mother again.

“This is a very important area. I want to get one, or if the appeal goes well two dialysis machines for the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

“I also want to raise awareness of kidney disease and the need for organ donors, generally but particularly in the South Asian community.

“We have specific problems of diet and lack of exercise that need to be tackled but we also need more donors from our community to increase the chance of matches.

“As a devout Muslim I can say that there is nothing wrong with receiving or donating a kidney or other organ.

“I wanted this appeal to be my charity because of the effect of kidney disease on my family and in memory of Lynn who was a great source of support and advice to myself and my family.”

Coun Mulla will launch his appeal on Monday at 12.30pm on the steps of the Town Hall.