A senior nurse from Edgware is getting ready for an act of extraordinary generosity – by donating one of his kidneys to a family friend in need.

Craig Binch, an orthopaedic senior matron at the Royal Free Hospital in Pond Street, Hampstead, will have his right kidney removed later this month at Guy’s Hospital in London.

The kidney will then be air-lifted to Nottingham, where it will be transplanted into his mother’s friend.

The 36-year-old said: “The friend was diagnosed with polycystic kidneys six or seven years ago. Since then, her kidneys have gradually become worse and it has now got to the point that, without a donated kidney, she would need dialysis.”

He decided he wanted to help out, and was tested to see if he was a match.

Mr Binch said: “They gave me the full MOT. I had an ultrasound to check the size of the kidney and a CT scan to check the anatomy.

“The ultrasound was fine, however the CT scan found that I had abnormal anatomy – I have an additional vein on my right kidney and an additional artery on the left kidney.”

The surgeons said that, although there was more of a risk because of the additional vein, they were happy to carry out the operation.

Mr Binch added: “When I have told people they have found it peculiar. But it is a good feeling to help someone and I know that my life will soon be back to normal. I am young and I couldn’t think of a reason why I shouldn’t. The medical staff will look after me they will make sure I am fine.”

The Royal Free Hospital is one of the UK’s largest centres for kidney and liver transplants, and carries out about 150 kidney and 90 liver transplants each year.

Despite this, there are not enough organs to go around, and every day three people in the UK die waiting for a donor organ.

Next week is National Transplant Week, which runs from September 7 to 13. People are being encouraged to join the organ donor register, which could one day help someone else to live. Go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to sign up to the register.

The Royal Free Hospital will also run a medicine for members event on Wednesday, September 9 from 6.30pm to 8pm in the Sir Williams Wells Atrium, whhere people can get help and advice on becoming a donor.