MEET the Chapelford woman who says top of her Christmas list this year is the 'gift of life'.

Holly Shaw is back on the waiting list for a kidney transplant after three-and-a-half years on dialysis waiting for her first operation.

But the 28-year-old, who helped launch the British Transplant Games in Liverpool last week, remains positive about her condition.

Holly, who said it was a proud but nerve-wracking day in front of the region's TV cameras, lit the games flame for the competition which sees transplant athletes compete in a variety of sports celebrating the inspirational stories of both transplant patients and donor families.

Speaking at the launch, she said: "There are so many people whose lives are saved thanks to the incredible gift of transplants.

"Seeing them come together and participate in these uplifting events is just incredibly motivating and inspiring. "The games are a celebration and a chance for people to come together and show just how donor organs have given them a second chance at life."

Holly's first kidney transplant lasted seven years before she found out in June this year it was beginning to fail and she then had to go back on dialysis in August.

She added: "I've not quite got my head around going back to square one and I'm a bit in limbo now waiting for the phone call.

"It's just a waiting game as it could be tomorrow or it could be another three years again until they find the perfect match."

Holly, who was diagnosed with kidney failure aged 17 and still does not know what caused it, is on dialysis five times a week but can now do it at home or at her mum's house in Westbrook rather than having to go into hospital.

She added: "It's difficult at this time of year when you think about people rushing around buying presents.

"It can all seem a bit materialistic when the best gift you could give is signing the organ donor register.

"People often say they will get round to it but never do as they don't like to think about their own mortality.

"It's still a bit of a taboo subject but it only takes two minutes to sign up.

"Hopefully the transplant games being so close to Warrington next year will get more people thinking about it."