A Northern mum has shared her joy after winning a legal battle to get her son a potentially life-saving kidney transplant.
It comes after specialists questioned whether it was “in his best interests”.
17-year-old William Verden from Lancaster has a rare disease called steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, which means his kidneys function at just 5%.
William has been a patient at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital since November 2019, where he receives dialysis at least four times a week, and his mum, Ami McLennan, has always believed that a transplant is William’s best chance at life – but specialists at the hospital could not agree over what treatment he should have.
Without a new kidney, William’s doctors said he may only have around 12 months to live, yet other medical professionals also expressed their concerns over the effectiveness of a kidney transplant.
Some argued that the chance of disease recurrence from a transplant would be near to 100%.
William has autism and ADHD, which means that in the eyes of the law, he lacks the mental capacity to make such decisions for himself, hence why his mother had fought so hard to get his case to court.
Mum Ami McLennan has always believed that a kidney transplant is William’s best chance at life / Credit: Ami McLennan (via Facebook)
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust brought the case to ask a judge to rule on the matter following Ms McLennan’s disagreement with the medics.
At the trail this week, the court was told that if a kidney transplant proved successful, then William would live a further 15 to 20 years before he needed another one, but also heard from those who opposed a transplant as a result of William’s learning disabilities – factors which some medics believe would cause psychological and physical harm with post-operation sedation and ventilation.
After the judge heard from both sides, they ruled that William would be able to get a kidney transplant, and he is now on the waiting list for a donor.
Ruling that a transplant was in the teenager’s best interests, as reported by ITV Granada, Mrs Justice Arbuthnot said: “Transplant is not futile and although the chances of that lead to an increase in William’s suffering in the short and medium term, it has the commensurate benefit which is there is a chance for William of long-term survival.”
William has been a patient at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital since November 2019 / Credit: Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (via NHS)
Following the decision, Ms McLennan said: “All we have wanted was for him to be added to the transplant list and his treatment to be continued until a donor is found.
“I feel it’s the minimum he deserves and what any mum would do for their child.
“As a family we still struggle to comprehend why William’s case has gotten to this stage, but this judgment is about trying to look to the future [as] what’s happened is in the past and we need to focus on trying to find the crucial donor who can provide William with the best chance in life.
“We continue to be amazed by how many people have been touched by William’s story and remain ever so thankful to those who have expressed a wish to potentially become a donor or who have contacted us with messages of support.”
Featured Image – Family Handout
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Police tell gig-goers to ‘remain vigilant’ as Oasis Live ’25 hits Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Anyone lucky enough to be heading to Heaton Park for the Oasis Live ’25 gigs this summer is being told to ‘remain vigilant’.
Manchester is all set for a sensational summer of sound, as more than 300,000 music fans prepare to descend on our city to see a little-known band called Oasis (sarcasm detected) reform for the first time in over a decade.
And today is finally the big day after what has been a very long-time coming.
With the Gallagher brothers staging five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Heaton Park starting today (11 July), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now issued some important advice and information for gig-goers attending what is likely going to be one of the best live shows of their life, and what is sure to be a momentous moment for the city.
Oasis Live ’25 Manchester gig-goers told to ‘remain vigilant’ / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Publicity Picture)
GMP confirmed that it will be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows ‘pass by safely’ on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months, alongside our partners at Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and many more.
Police officers will be present around the Heaton Park site, working with event security staff to ‘prevent crime and disorder’, while off-site patrols will also assist with traffic management and policing in the surrounding areas and the city centre.
Efforts are also underway to ‘minimise disruption’ in Manchester city centre and the surrounding areas, GMP confirmed.
We’ll be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows pass by safely at Manchester’s Heaton Park starting from this Friday.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months alongside our partners.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 10, 2025
“Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety,” explained Assistant Chief Constable, Matt Boyle.
“We have worked closely with event organisers and partners to make sure the event is safe and enjoyable for those attending, whilst minimising any crime or antisocial behaviour impacts on local residents.
“We will have a large and highly visible policing operation in place in Heaton Park, the city centre, and on routes into and out of the venue to help people enjoy the event. We also have neighbourhood police officers and staff in place who are dedicated to dealing with local residents’ concerns.
“Our advice to fans attending is to enjoy yourselves but to remain vigilant, keep your belongings safe, and report anything suspicious to police or security staff so we can act on it.”
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5