Claire Joseph hit the headlines in March after her decision to donate a kidney to her ailing father Peter.

Mr Joseph, whose kidneys failed three years ago, was being kept alive by dialysis treatment three times a week at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.

Medical tests revealed that Claire’s kidney would be compatible with her father. Surgeons at St James’s Hospital in Leeds carried out keyhole surgery to remove Claire’s left kidney in April and transplant it to her dad.

Claire, 30, runs the baby room at Footsteps Nursery in the Woodroyd Children’s Centre. During the crisis, she and her two sons moved into her parents’ Bankfoot home so that the boys could see more of their grandad. Claire said: “I decided to do this because I have two boys and I just wanted their grandad to be around for them, particularly the youngest.”

Until he was in his mid-fifties, Peter was accustomed to being fit and healthy. Then he began to suffer from high blood pressure, which can damage the kidneys. Doctors came to realise that Mr Joseph’s kidneys were malfunctioning. Even though he had to undergo dialysis he continued working for Terrill Bros foundry in Hammerton Street.

His wife Rosemary said before the operation: “Some people would just give up, but he has been wonderful and amazing. Some days he gets really bad and the dialysis makes him sick.”

She was willing to donate one of her kidneys to her husband, but her blood group was not compatible with his, hence Claire’s decision.

1. What was your best moment of 2008?

“Passing my advanced diving course.”

2. And your worst?

“Being poorly for just under three months.”

3. Who helped you most in the year and how?

“My boyfriend has been so supportive through my hospital appointments and all the build-up to my operation, being there for me when my dad fell ill at work and was rushed to hospital before the operation. I was lucky, I had a lot of support and felt lucky to have good friends through this time.”

4. Did the year have any surprises for you?

“Yes, I was surprised at how quickly the operation was arranged.”

5. Was there a particularly funny moment?

“My boyfriend dropped me off at the Co-op to get some snacks, as we were on the way to Kendal to do some diving. He went to turn the van around and park up. I came out of the shop, opened the van door and jumped out of my skin, letting out a scream. Two men were sitting in the van, looking as shocked as me. I apologised as I realised I had gone to the wrong van. My partner watched all this happening and was laughing his head off at me.”

6. Any regrets about the year?

“Just that my grandma was not around – she passed away the year before – to know that both me and Dad are okay; but I’m sure she knows this and has been watching over us.”

7. What did you learn from 2008?

“That there are people all over doing amazing things to help save people’s lives, and that England has some of the most remarkable surgeons around.”

8. What would you like to happen personally, professionally or on a wider level in this year?

“That more people should consider giving blood and donating organs.”

9. Any resolutions?

Just to be more organised, and to pass my driving test.”

10. Who is your person of the year for 2008?

“I can’t remember her name, but that poor woman who, like my dad, was in need of a kidney. Her own daughter passed away, and the hospital gave her organs to other waiting patients when her own mum needed them. She and my dad became friends as they were always on dialysis together. I think she is so brave to go on, raising her grand-daughter; I hope they find a donor for her soon.”