IT is the Christmas she never thought she would see fit and healthy - and the one gift she never expected to be given least of all by a complete stranger.

But Sally-Anne Grainger is looking forward to Christmas Day spent having fun with daughters Kelsey and Megan and partner Paul Blackwell in Swallowfields, Warndon Villages.

And it is thanks to the kindness of Wesley Joyce, who donated a kidney to Miss Grainger following an appeal in your Worcester News, that she will be able to spend the holiday with her family rather than attending dialysis sessions three times a week.

Despite starting the year as strangers, the pair now have a lifelong bond after Mr Joyce selflessly underwent the operation in October to extend Miss Grainger's life.

Miss Grainger, who has cystic fibrosis, said: "There will be a connection forever - he saved my life.

"This Christmas will be amazing, dialysis at Christmas was always a nightmare because I would want to stay at home and be with my kids and this year I can.

"When I made the plea for a kidney donor in the Worcester News in January I never expected I would end the year having had the operation.

"I can now enjoy life and appreciate it again because, when I was having dialysis, things became a chore.

"I didn't want to do things but now I can get on with living.

"There is nothing I will find under the Christmas tree this year which will be as precious as what Wes has given me.

"Thanks to Wes, my life has probably been extended by about 15 years at least - and if I get another 15 years with my girls I will be very happy."

Catching up over a cup of coffee at Edward's Bar and Kitchen on Worcester's High Street, both Miss Grainger and Mr Joyce agree that 2014 has been a whirlwind for them both after their story went worldwide.

After the operation, Mr Joyce, from Mill Street, Diglis, said things took a downward turn, his beloved grandfather passed away and he struggled with the recovery from the operation.

Things are looking brighter for the new year though as he is busy setting up Footgolf Worcestershire, a cross between golf and football, at Upper Sapey Golf Club.

"About two weeks ago I thought "Why me?", there were just little things going on.

"But everything happens for a reason and, just like when I read the Worcester News and saw Sally-Anne's appeal, I read about Footgolf in a newspaper and decided to get in touch.

"It has been an amazing year - there have been a lot of ups and downs but the best things has to be sitting here in Edward's with Sally-Anne and seeing her healthy."

The 33-year-old will be spending Christmas at home with his wife Jill and children Leyton, Leonie and Jai-Jai.

His mum Carole, who was meeting Miss Grainger for the first time, said she felt ever so proud of her son.

"I am absolutely proud of him. What he did for Sally-Anne and her family is absolutely wonderful.

"Wes is bubbly, he picks you up when you're down and seeing Sally-Anne sat here and healthy is just amazing - I can't believe it."

For Miss Grainger, who underwent a double lung transplant in 2009, she has ended the year feeling like she now has two guardian angels.

"I've got Wes, who is only a phone call away if I need him, and a woman I will never meet and will never know but whose family kindly allowed her organs to be given to someone else and I am just extremely grateful."

For more on joining the organ donation register, log on to organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor/