A selfless mum-of-four is preparing to give one of her organs to someone in need.

Nikki Moore was inspired to put herself forward as a donor when one of her close friends started feeling unwell, and was told by a doctor his kidney was functioning at just seven per cent.

Their respective blood groups were not compatible, but the 47-year-old, of Victory Drive, Kings Hill, remained eager to help someone else and has since joined an NHS database for altruistic kidney donations - something done by on average just 100 people each year.

Mrs Moore, a clinical support worker at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, said: “I’m not sure how many people actually know that you can survive with just one kidney.

“For some people their religion forbids organ donation, but I think others are scared of what happens. I’ve worked in intensive care and even after people have died, their loved ones are worried about taking away their organs, but your body is just carrying your personality - that still lives on in people’s hearts.”

Offering to donate a kidney is a significant commitment that has seen Mrs Moore make a dozen long journeys to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital since last August - just for various tests, with the prospect of the surgery itself still some way off.

The NHS helps to encourage donations by offering to cover expenses and time off work, which can be as much as 12 weeks if recovery is slow.

However, Mrs Moore is keen to stress that any potential donors need to be aware they’re in it for the long haul.

“I’m quite lucky as I work in the NHS, they couldn’t really turn round and complain about me taking time off because this is what they’re trying to promote,” she said. “But if you work in other professions, or you’re self employed, you might shut down for a number of weeks and you’re going to have to think carefully about that.”

Mrs Moore is currently waiting to hear whether she can find a suitable match on the database - an individual who would need her kidney.

“I just try and do acts of random kindness,” she said. “If you are good to people, people are good to you - it sounds clichéd and as if it’s all flowers and roses, which life isn’t, but it’s nice to help someone out when you can.”