Kidney gift to pal’s son, 20
A PENSIONER is to give one of his kidneys to his oldest friend’s son, who is 20.
Grandad John Pugh, 65, heard that Henry Cutting has irreversible kidney disease C3 glomerulonephritis and offered to help.
Henry’s dad Keith and John, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, studied together 40 years ago and stayed pals.
John said: “This is a chance for me to do something for Henry that will change his life.” Keith said it was “the best Christmas present” and will enable Henry to lead a normal life.
HIS job has taken him to 125 towns and cities across Britain but America’s UK Ambassador admits his heart belongs to Hull.
Now, as Kentucky-born Matthew Barzun prepares to leave the post next month, he has revealed why the East Yorkshire city – birthplace of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce and mathematician John Venn – left such a big impression.
Asked his favourite place he said: “If I had to pick one, Hull has particular resonance to me. I had a wonderful visit in Hull.
“William Wilberforce and what he started here and what that did to change our country. John Venn, the great British mathematician who invented the Venn diagram, which I must use five times a day.”
He added: “If you get a visa to work in America [you are given] the Wilberforce pamphlet. It tells you about the rights you have as a worker. I love that [ his legacy] lives on in that very practical way of sticking up for those rights and values that we get from one another.”
Founded in the 12th century, Kingston upon Hull is home to more than a quarter of a million people.
Once boasting one of the world’s biggest fishing fleets, the city was left decimated by the 1970s cod wars.
Today, the ports where the trawlers once stood are revitalised as cargo ships and ferries from around the world use Hull as a gateway to Europe.
Designated the UK City of Culture 2017, it has a number of claims to fame. The Ye Olde White Harte pub on Silver Street is said to be the site where the decision to refuse King Charles I entry to the city was made in 1642. The move led to the siege of Hull, which instigated the English Civil War. Hull also has a fine acting pedigree with stars of stage and screen Sir Tom Courtenay, Ian Carmichael and Maureen Lipman all born there. It is home to three big teams – two rugby league and one Premier League, it also boasts the 7,280ftlong Humber Bridge, which was the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge when it opened in 1981, holding the record for 17 years. It is now eighth-longest.
As for British cuisine, Mr Barzun reckons it’s a bit hit and miss. He’s not so keen on lamb and potatoes after being served it “180 times” during his first year in the job.
But he has developed a fondness for our traditional puds, admitting: “Sticky toffee pudding is something I’m going to have to learn how to cook, because I’m hooked.”