WHEN Louise Carter fell seriously ill with double kidney failure her mum Angela didn’t think twice.

She put herself forward to donate one of her own kidneys which saved her daughter’s life.

The Llangefni mother and daughter have worked together at the town's Asda store for the past twelve and six years respectively.

Angela, 65, is retiring on Saturday, in time to put her feet up on Mothering Sunday. Louise said; "More than anything, I thank my mum for the gift of life and love she gave me. Words cannot describe how grateful I am.

"As soon as mum found out she was a match, she didn't think twice about it. It was totally overwhelming to find out she was prepared to do this for me.

"My son Connor was three when I became ill and because of her generous actions, I’ll get to see him graduate from university."

Louise, who fell ill in summer 2001, started struggling with dizzy spells, saw her weight decline and even lost consciousness which prompted a blood test from her GP, but despite her symptoms disregarded it as being anything serious.

The results from the blood test revealed a diagnosis of double kidney failure. She was rushed to hospital and put on dialysis and put on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.

The transplant went ahead in June 2003 at the Royal Liverpool Hospital with both Louise and Angela going in together for the operation. Angela remained in hospital for a week, whilst Louise needed a couple of weeks to recover and both left hospital with one functioning kidney each.

Louise’s ‘new normal’ involves her having to take daily medication to ensure her body doesn't reject the transplant which in turn also weakens her immune system so she now needs to prioritise her health to ensure she doesn’t fall ill, as she can’t fight off infection.

Louise, who works on the checkouts, joined Asda Llangefni in 2006 – and Angela has worked in the store's bakery for the last six years.

Louise said; "We see each other all the time anyway but it has been really nice working with her. We don't see a huge amount of each other at work, but I love meeting up with her whenever we're on breaks."

Angela says it was an emotional time when Louise was ill, and that she was determined to do whatever she could to help.

She said: "They say it's one of the most altruistic and unselfish things you can do but there was never a question in my mind – I just went for it.

"There were a lot of assessments to get through, as it's quite a long process, and then we went into hospital together. I remember I went first because I was the donor.

"The teams at both Royal Liverpool Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd were amazing and we had a fantastic, pioneering doctor who we owe our lives to."

Louise credits the support of her close-knit family for helping her get through such a difficult period in her life, especially her partner Rob and close friends.

Asda Llangefni general store manager, Russell Frankland, said; "They're both fantastic colleagues and for Angela to put herself through what she did for her daughter is an amazing act of kindness.

"Both Angela and Louise have been integral parts of the team here and Angela will be missed. We all wish her a very happy retirement."