A nine-year-old given a 50 per cent chance of survival after a life-saving organ donation is celebrating a major milestone in his recovery.
William Milne, of Addiscombe, is having a "special birthday" to mark the five years since he was given a bowel transplant.
William was told he had a 50 per cent chance of surviving the first five years of having his new bowel but the Chipstead Valley Primary School is now living life to the full.
The nine-year-old has cerebral palsy, Asperger Syndrome and was born with a bowel that failed to absorb any nutrition or fluids.
By the age of four he had spent 80 per cent of his life in hospital and had had 50 operations.
His bowel was full of stagnant liquid that caused frequent life threatening septicaemia infections.
He was placed on a transplant list in 2008 and his family was told he could only have weeks to live without a new bowel.
In November 2008, William was rushed to hospital with a perforated bowel. His mum, Sarah Milne, was told to prepare for the worst.
They were then told that a bowel had become available from a young girl who had died from a road traffic accident. William was rushed to hospital in Birmingham where the procedure could take place.
He also set up a charity called William's Wish to help kids who spend a lot of time in hospital.
The nine-year-old lights a candle every year for his donor and on Saturday 23, his family are holding an event at The Oval Tavern with a host of activities, entertainment and food on offer.
But his mum Sarah said one of the main aims is to get people to join the organ donor register so more people can have their lives saved.
"This is a time when we think of William's donor and give thanks to her and her family.
"Every year William lights a candle on the November 19 which was the day she died and the day we got the call.
"We want to invite everyone in Croydon along to the event and celebrate with William five years on after his operation."
To find out more information about organ donation go to organdonation.nhs.uk.
The free event will take place on Saturday, November 23, Oval Tavern, Oval Road, 1pm to 6pm. Donations are welcome.
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