BRAVE teenager Craige Glendinning said a big thank you last night to his mum - for saving his life.

For 35-year-old Tracey donated a kidney to her 13-year-old son, who was allowed home from hospital yesterday for the first time since the operation.

Craige, who has suffered renal problems since the age of seven, had his right kidney removed two years ago. His health deteriorated further when his remaining kidney began to fail.

"I want to say a big thank you to my mum and all of the staff at the hospital," he said last night.

"I am in a lot of pain but I am okay. I was excited when I learned I was getting my mum's kidney because it means I can do more skateboarding and more things that I want to."

Mrs Glendinning, who said that the operation had brought her even closer to Craige, said: "I am scared of needles and I did wonder whether I was going to be able to help him.

"But at the end of the day you do anything for your children, don't you?

"If he hadn't had this operation he faced spending years on kidney dialysis and could quite possibly have died."

Last October, doctors told the family, from Tanfield Lea, Stanley, County Durham, that Craige would need a transplant to save his life.

Tracey and husband Tony, 36, both underwent tests and were astounded to learn they were both a perfect match.

Doctors suggested Tracey become the donor so Tony could continue to support the family, including Victoria 16, Jonathan, 15, and Kieran, two.

Yesterday, Craige, a pupil at Tanfield School, came out of the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where surgeon David Talbot successfully carried out a keyhole transplant two weeks ago today.

The procedure involved Naeem Soomro removing Mrs Glendinning's kidney at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

It was then rushed across the city to the RVI where Craige was waiting.

Mr Soomro said the kidney transplant team has done 22 living transplants this year, and five of those were from parent to child.

* To become a donor, join the NHS Organ Donor Register by calling 0845 60 60 400.