“I was shell-shocked by Graham’s decision,” said Ian. “Total disbelief – he was so confident about wanting to do it.
“There is truly no gift in the world that matches what he did.
“To this day, my voice cracks whenever I talk about it, knowing how brave he has been for no other reason than to help me.
“It’s unbelievable – the kindest thing a person has ever done for me.”
Now, more than a year later, Ian said his life has been changed.
“I feel completely different to where I was before the transplants,” Ian said. “I feel a lot more alive and alert. It’s been unbelievable.
“It still feels incredible just to go to the toilet normally and not be tied to a machine.
“I can go anywhere – I watched Oasis at Heaton Park and have been to the football again.
“Even the little things in life are massive now. I can eat whatever I want and live a normal life.”
Ian said without Graham, he would have died “within a matter of months”.
“I was very poorly, gravely ill – continuously having infections and then having sepsis, and then being told I probably had 12 hours to live,” Ian said.
“I’ve been suffering for 20 years. Without his unbelievable selflessness, I’d be gone.
“To be that age and do what he has done is incredible.”
Of his donation, Graham said: “I did get an award from NHS Blood and Transplant as a Kidney for Life Hero and have a badge, which I wear with pride.”
“Recovery was quick for me and I have carried on as normal,” Graham added. “We’ve been to the cricket together and have gone to watch Derby County.”