Transplant baby's parents thank mystery donor after Leeds operation

Florence-Ivy needed an urgent liver transplant after being diagnosed with biliary atresia

The parents of a four-month-old baby have thanked the "extraordinary" anonymous liver donor who came forward to save their daughter's life.

Sammy Bromfield and Jamie Langton, from North Lincolnshire, appealed for a donor for Florence-Ivy after she was diagnosed with end-stage liver failure.

They said the mystery donor had given the tot, who is at Leeds Children's Hospital, "the gift of life".

"We can never explain or share how much this means", they added.

Florence-Ivy was born in October and was just eight weeks old when she was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a bile ducts blockage, which led to liver failure.

Her parents appealed on social media to try to find a match, with strict criteria.

Her parents, Jamie Langton and Sammy Bromfield, had appealed for a donor on social media

Any possible donor had to be aged between 18 and 50, and in blood group O - either positive or negative.

There were also weight restrictions and guidelines for their health and fitness.

Ms Bromfield, writing on Facebook, said: "Thank you to the most extraordinary and special person who came forward and became a live donor for our daughter.

"We can never explain or share how much this means and the words thank you will never convey our emotions enough; In truth, there just aren't the words to explain our gratitude, but we feel it every moment of every day."

She added: "The smile says it all, the photo is pre-transplant, she's in ICU still but fighting."

'Precious life'

Ms Bromfield thanked others who came forward and those who shared their appeal.

"Florence-Ivy has been one of the lucky recipients of a liver, but there are many others who still need a donor," she said.

"For all those who didn't meet the criteria for Florence-Ivy, you could still save another precious life whose criteria may be different."

Their daughter's condition was discovered at a check-up with the GP and within days she underwent surgery which it was hoped would delay the urgency for a transplant.

The operation was not a success, however, and the couple made their urgent appeal for a donor.