Strangers brought together by tragedy have forged a deep, enduring friendship—one that culminated in a life-saving kidney donation.
Clare Brixley, 61, from Standerwick in Somerset, describes feeling “blessed” to have met Tim Swinburn under the darkest circumstances. Tim, a former police officer turned family liaison officer, first came to Clare’s door in the early hours to deliver devastating news: her 20-year-old son, Ashley Brixley, had died in a car accident.
At that time, Clare was already battling kidney failure and reliant on dialysis. The heartbreak of losing her son was unimaginable, yet Tim and Clare kept in touch over the years following the tragedy. Their bond, built on trust and shared pain, grew stronger through emails, calls, and joint efforts on road safety campaigns.
READ MORE: Inside the heartfelt campaign that brought people closer to man’s best friend
READ MORE: MP Calls for Urgent VAT Cut to Save Weston-super-Mare’s Hospitality Sector
When Clare’s transplanted kidney began to fail, Tim didn’t hesitate to offer one of his own. Knowing Clare’s chances of getting another donor were slim, he made the ultimate sacrifice without a second thought.
“I feel amazing and so grateful to Tim,” Clare said. “I have only one working kidney, but I am confident I will have a great life. Tim has one kidney left too, and he’s going to be absolutely fine.”
Tim now works at The Salvation Army’s Booth House in Swindon. Reflecting on his decision, he said, “Seeing Clare face such immense challenges, the desire to help was instinctive. When I realized how critical her situation was, donating my kidney felt like the natural thing to do.”
Their journey began on October 3, 2004, when Tim knocked on Clare’s door at 3 a.m. to tell her about her son’s fatal car accident. Ashley was a passenger in a car driven by a friend who, under the influence of ecstasy and alcohol, crashed into a swimming pool. Ashley drowned inside the submerged vehicle; the driver was later jailed.
Over time, Clare and Tim became more than strangers. “We’ve supported each other through thick and thin,” Tim explained. “We even joke that we should be brother and sister—we think alike and share the same outlook on life.”
After receiving a kidney from a deceased donor in 2005, Clare lived healthily for nearly two decades. However, after battling skin cancer and undergoing radiotherapy, her kidney function declined again. When told she needed another transplant, Tim immediately offered his kidney.
Despite initial doubts from the hospital about the authenticity of their relationship—which led to a temporary cancellation of the operation—they persevered, proving their genuine connection. Their efforts paid off when Clare received Tim’s kidney in a four-hour operation at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Both recovered quickly, surprising medical staff by leaving the hospital just four days after surgery. Clare feels rejuvenated, able to do multiple tasks in a day without the exhausting limits of dialysis. She even recently rode one of her horses for the first time in years.
The transplant has given Clare a new lease on life, while Tim continues his work with The Salvation Army and commits to raising awareness for social causes. This Christmas, Clare and Tim shared a rare festive meal together after years apart—Tim usually spends Christmas feeding the homeless.
Inspired by their journey, Tim plans several long-distance walks to raise awareness about housing issues, including a walk from Melksham to Swindon and another from London to Swindon. Clare will also be undertaking horse-riding challenges to support these campaigns.
Tim humbly downplays his heroism but acknowledges the impact of his gesture. “If my story encourages even one person to consider organ donation or support organisations like The Salvation Army, then all of this will have been worth it,” he said.
Clare continues to honor her son Ashley’s memory while embracing the hope and vitality that Tim’s gift has restored to her life.