Teenage Newcastle United fan feels support of local community after shock kidney failure
A 14-year-old boy from the Northeast has been overwhelmed by the support of his local community - including a visit from Newcastle United players, Joelinton and Kieran Trippier - as he learns to live with kidney disease.
Charlie Denholm, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, found himself needing dialysis treatment after his kidneys unexpectedly failed just before Christmas last year due to a genetic form of kidney disease. Already affected by type 1 diabetes, Charlie is now doing his best to navigate life with both conditions.
His guardian, Fiona Denholm, says: “It has been hard for us all, but Charlie has handled everything so well. He takes it all in his stride despite the challenges and frustrations. He’s a sporty kid and it’s difficult for him not being able to play competitive football because of his dialysis.
“We’re so thankful for the support we’ve had from family, friends, his healthcare team, school and community organisations like the Newcastle United Foundation – who recently visited Charlie’s dialysis unit, invited the children for a stadium tour and allowed them to train with the under 21 side. It was a massive boost for them.”
Charlie says: “I’m a big Newcastle United fan and it was really cool meeting Joelinton and Trippier. They asked me how my treatment was going and told me to keep up the good work until my transplant. They weren’t too pleased when they found out my favourite player is Bruno Guimarães though!
“I enjoyed the stadium tour and playing with the under 21s too. I hope when I have a kidney transplant, I’ll be able to join a football team again and take part in the Transplant Games.”
Charlie, Fiona and their family are offering their own support to fellow kidney patients by joining the Newcastle Bridges Walk on Sunday 7 June – fundraising for Kidney Research UK alongside hundreds of the charity’s supporters.
Whirlwind diagnosis
Charlie and his family first realised he was not well when he began struggling with extreme fatigue.
Fiona says: “He didn’t have the energy you’d expect of a teenage boy and was exhausted all the time. I knew something wasn’t right, so I took him to the GP where he had a blood test. Soon after we received a phone call telling us to get Charlie to hospital immediately. His kidneys had failed and he needed urgent treatment.
“It was a real shock. We had no idea Charlie was this unwell and had never known anyone in a similar situation. All the talk of transplants and dialysis was overwhelming. We were in disbelief.”
It transpired that Charlie had unknowingly been living with a genetic kidney disease which had caused his kidneys to slowly deteriorate since birth. By the time he found out, his kidneys had already failed.
Fiona says: “There was nothing we could do to prevent Charlie needing dialysis. It has been very hard. Finding out it is a genetic condition is scary, as it means Charlie’s younger brother, Ollie, could also be affected. We’re currently having him tested to see whether that is the case. If we do get bad news, we hope an earlier diagnosis will mean we can take steps to protect his kidneys for longer.”
Adapting to dialysis
Charlie receives dialysis twice a week at Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle, meaning he can now only attend school three days a week.
Fiona says: “It was a whirlwind at first but the staff on the renal ward have been so welcoming and answered all our questions. Charlie’s dialysis unit is so vibrant. The nurses are always putting on activities for the kids. It’s like a family really. There is even a therapy dog called Daisy!
“Charlie’s school have been brilliant too, putting in place a safety plan for him. We’ve had so much support from people. Everyone has been so kind. That has been so important for me, as a single working parent supporting their child through dialysis.
“Our family have been immensely supportive. I’m so grateful to my parents, Liz and Ken, my sister, Julie, nephews, Sam and James, my son Scott with his children, Emilia and Joshua. Without them, we’d struggle to cope.”
Charlie says: “I’ve found adjusting to dialysis okay. It has helped my energy levels improve and I feel less tired than I used to. We have a teacher come into the unit to help us with schoolwork each day.
“My friends understand a bit about my condition, but it is difficult to explain why it means I can’t do everything I could before – like going to school every day or playing football with them. I hope I’ll be able to have a transplant soon as my grandad is being tested to donate a kidney.”
Joining Newcastle Bridges Walk
Charlie will take part in this year’s Newcastle Bridges Walk, alongside several family members and hundreds of other people supporting Kidney Research UK.
Fiona says: “When I heard about the walk, I thought it would be a great cause to get involved with. The nurses from Charlie’s dialysis unit join every year. We’ll be there with Charlie’s younger brother, Ollie, my sister and my son and two grandchildren. We’re all looking forward to it.
“We’re over the moon with how much support we’ve had and the money that has been raised so far. People have been so generous. We hope it will make a big difference for patients.”
Charlie says: “It’s nice that so many of my family will be walking with me on the day. I hope raising money for research will help improve people’s lives in the future.”
If you want to join Charlie, there is still time to sign up for the Kidney Research UK Newcastle Bridges Walk.
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Every £ counts towards transforming treatments for people living with kidney disease.