Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood has invited “an inspirational person” to be his special guest at tonight’s game between Northern Ireland and Bulgaria.
Stephen Topping, who is the kitman at Glenavon FC in Lurgan, has been in the headlines for donating a kidney to a stranger.
He decided to donate an organ after his granddaughter Georgia Lyness experienced kidney problems and he became aware she may need a transplant in the future.
Stephen told the BBC: “I thought if my granddaughter ever needed one then more than likely it might have to be from a stranger, so I thought 'why can’t I do it for somebody else?'"
The recipient of his kidney was Amy Smith, who lives in south-west England. And Amy will be attending tonight’s UEFA Nations League game in Belfast as well as a guest of the Irish FA President.
The President said: “I recently watched a television drama in which a person donated an organ to a stranger and it was thought provoking.
“Life often seems to imitate art but I never imagined that it would do so this quickly.
“When I saw Stephen’s story online, I was filled with admiration for his gift of life to a stranger.
“Amy’s life has been completely changed and their personal courage is an inspiration. I’m looking forward to meeting them at the game.”
Amy travelled to Lurgan last month to meet the Topping family for the first time.
“It was surreal hearing Amy the first time I spoke to her on the phone and it was so surreal meeting her in person. It just makes it all worthwhile,” Stephen told the BBC.
Georgia has not required a transplant so far but she appreciates what her grandfather did because of what happened to her.
She said it was “a really nice thing” for him to donate a kidney.
After the meeting Amy said she hoped the two families would stay in touch.
“I’ve gone back to being me rather than me and my machine," she pointed out.
“You only need one kidney to be able to live a normal life and you could save so many people’s lives by just donating that one kidney.”
Image: Stephen Topping with his granddaughter Georgia and kidney recipient Amy Smith.
