A WOMAN who received a kidney from her mum when she was just 13 is set to host an exhibition to raise awareness of a kidney charity.

Diane Gough, who is 52, has had the kidney for the same length of time as her mum Ruth, who is now 78.

Diane suffered from a viral infection and at one point she slipped into a coma and remained unconscious for seven months.

It was thought at the time of the operation in 1978 that the organ would last just five years, but nearly 40 years on it is still going strong.

Diane, who lives in Clacton, is now set to host an art exhibition at Colchester General Hospital to raise awareness of the work of Kidney Care UK.

She said: “I had a kidney transplant in 1978 when I was 13 years old.

“I was extremely lucky that my hero mum was a match and have had nearly 40 great years since the transplant.

“This was unusual back then and it is also unusual that my mum’s kidney, inside me, still works so well today.”

Now Diane wants to raise awareness of the importance of transplants.

She said: “I am running a free to enter, art exhibition with the support of Kidney Care UK to encourage the public to understand and support those going through kidney transplants.

“Kidneys are the hardest working organs in your body and one in nine people have kidney problems.”

Mrs Gough has written to schools to invite youngsters to take part in the initiative.

“I would like to invite school children and the adults in their lives to make artwork for the exhibition,” she added.

“The aim of this is to get people talking about healthy kidneys, health and well-being.

“Doing art can be very therapeutic and in the process of doing the art I hope it gets people talking about transplants and healthy kidneys.”

Diane said she had lived her life “under the radar” for the past 40 years after all the publicity surrounding her transplant.

However, she is now helping Kidney Care UK to promote awareness of kidney donation.

Diane, who is an art school graduate worked in fashion in London.

She has also taken part in two Transplant Games - in 1980 and 1981 - competing in running, swimming and the long jump.

To take part in the Operation Art Donation exhibition, which will be displayed at the Constable and Colne galleries at Colchester General Hospital, email your entry to operationartdonation2018@gmail.com.

Subjects can include works on themes including family, good health and the best day of my life.