THE Mayor of Blackburn has pledged to raise £40,000 next year to fund a new kidney dialysis machine at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Coun Salim Mulla also hopes to raise awareness of renal disease and the need for organ donors.

He wants to raise enough to buy one or possibly two kidney dialysis machines for the hospital.

The issue is close to the Mayor’s heart, as his wife Sayeeda had to wait six years to find a suitable match for a transplant after developing kidney disease just over eight years ago.

He said: “My wife is doing really well after her transplant, but we waited a long time.

“I remember the day that a donor was found. I was in a council meeting when I got a message, and I had to leave straight away. She has recovered well, and she has got her life back.

“Now I want to help others who are suffering from kidney disease.”

“This is a very important issue. I want to get one, or if the appeal goes well, two dialysis machines for the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The mayor paid a visit to the hospital just before Christmas, where he toured the wards chatting with patients and staff and delighted poorly youngsters on the children’s unit by donating gifts and chocolate.

Stephen Gilligan, consult-ant and clinical director for critical care at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted that the mayor of Blackburn’s charity has chosen to raise money to help patients.”