GRAHAM Dodds, the police officer who donated one of his kidneys to a complete stranger – a boy, saving his life – has been named this year’s 999 Hero Award at the Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards.

Joshua Dolan, from Enniskillen, had one kidney functioning at 17 per cent and urgently needed a kidney transplant.

Following an appeal in The Impartial Reporter, Graham got in touch, and on May 18 the successful operation took place at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Graham was taken aback when he was announced as the winner, but said he was delighted to pick up the award, not just for himself but for Joshua as well.

“I always say the hero of the piece is not me, it’s Joshua, for going through all the things he went through,” said Graham.

“My bit was easy. I was knocked out for four hours, they did major surgery and I was missing an organ, but Joshua has had it very bad for a very long time, and it was worth it.

Impartial Reporter:

“I was delighted to win the award for both of us really, because it highlights Joshua’s story and also, really importantly, it highlights live donation and altruistic donation.

“So hopefully it will encourage people to donate to family members or as I have done, to donate to someone they don’t know.”

At the awards ceremony, Graham explained how he was just happy to be nominated and never once expected to win.

“To be nominated for such an award on its own would have been enough, and it is a real honour.

“I thought ‘I’ll go up here as a finalist and that’s all I’ll be getting’, and I was very happy with that!

“So when the nominations were read out, I didn’t initially take it in. I only sort of realised when my name came up on the screen.

“I was up, collected the award, got my picture taken, and I was back in my seat, and it was probably only when I was back in my seat that I realised I had won the award!”

He believes winning the award shines a light on the local community as well as showing the reason he became a police officer.

“Winning this award is a delight. To win it, and particularly a 999 emergency services award when I’m up against such competition, it’s professionally very rewarding, and a big honour.

“And the fact that I can bring it down to Fermanagh and Omagh – I think it is nice the spotlight isn’t always going to Belfast and the big cities, it is showing what is happening in our rural communities.

“It shows policing up in the right light, too. The reason I volunteered was to help people wherever I can at whatever cost.”

Graham is still recovering from the transplant operation, but is planning to be back on duty in September.

He said doctors are happy with how he is recovering, and also how well his kidney has responded to Joshua’s body. To see this makes winning the award so special for him, he says.

“As I said at the event, all credit to The Impartial Reporter, and local news. If The Impartial hadn’t taken the time to run this story, I wouldn’t have seen it, I wouldn’t be where I am now, and Joshua would probably be heading towards ending his days.

“It’s a real honour,” Graham added.