A MOTHER is giving her rugby-mad teenage son the chance to fulfil his dreams - by donating him a kidney and the chance for an active life.

Maggie Johnson and her 16-year-old son Sam were due to undergo a kidney transplant operation at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital today.

If the op is successful, the King's School, Worcester, pupil, who has just finished his GCSE exams, will no longer face daily dialysis to avoid kidney failure.

It will also give Sam, of Lansdowne Crescent, off Rainbow Hill, Worcester, the chance to live out his dream to be a sports teacher or referee.

Russ Mason, a teacher at his College Green school, said Sam's friends and the staff were wishing them well.

"Sam and his family has been fully supported by the King's School," he said.

"We have done as much as we can to help and we are all wishing him well and looking forward to seeing him back in September."

Sam was diagnosed with kidney failure - causing his bones to soften - two years ago. His only hope for recovery lay in a transplant and his mother was found to be the best match.

Mrs Johnson, a senior finance assistant at Worcestershire County Council, and her 52-year-old architect husband Peter were nervous about the operation - but said "any parent would do the same".

The 45-year-old will have keyhole surgery, while Sam is believed to have to undergo a more complex procedure.

Both operations will take place close together, but will not be done in the same theatre.

Even if successful, Sam will need medication throughout the rest of his life.

Sam's condition is genetic and his 18-year-old brother Matt, who has just finished his A-levels at the King's School, is also being monitored after testing positive.

His 13-year-old sister, Emma did not inherit the faulty gene.

Sam has received treatment from Birmingham Children's Hospital since his diagnosis and Mrs Johnson raised £10,000 for the hospital by running the London Marathon in April.

A spokeswoman for Worcester Rugby Club, where Mr Johnson is the Under 16s coach, said everyone was keeping their fingers crossed for the family.