Kidney donation Northern Ireland: Tributes to 'devoted' Portadown father Mark McClory who donated 'ultimate gift of love' to son Scott – a kidney

Blackskull Orange and Blue Flute Band were one of the first to send their best wishes.

“From the officers and members of Blackskull Orange & Blue, we would like to wish our esteemed member Mark McClory and his son Scott well today as they both go through their operations, where Mark will be donating his kidney to his son,” they said.

“Thoughts and prayers from us all, that everything goes well and a speedy recovery to you both!”

Former UUP MLA Jo-Anne Dobson, who herself donated a kidney to her son, also wished them well.

Her son, also Mark, had been having three four-hour sessions of dialysis each week before she successfully donated a kidney to him in 2018. Now she serves as an ambassador for Kidney Care UK.

Ahead of their operation, the Banbridge woman also posted a message on social media, prompting 110 more messages of support.

She said: “Please hold Mark, Scott & Carol in your prayers today as Mark gives Scott the ultimate Gift of Love … his kidney!”

And yesterday she told the News Letter it appeared that her prayers had been answered.

“They were back on the ward yesterday (Thursday) and I was chatting to Mark and Carol last night,” she told the News Letter.

“So it's still early days but they are delighted with how things are going.”

The operation was somewhat different to her experience because Scott is a wheelchair user and has complex needs, she added.

She advised Mark before the operation: “Just as soon as you can go down and see Scott – as soon as he is back from theatre, because there's a very, very special feeling.

“And it is funny, he was saying that when he saw him yesterday, Scott's colour and demeanour had totally changed.

“There's a sense of achievement, I told him, because you were able to do that for Scott. It's just very special.”