A support worker at a Swindon homelessness centre has donated one of his kidneys to a woman he first helped more than two decades ago.
Tim Swinburn, who works at The Salvation Army’s Booth House Lifehouse in Swindon, gave the life-saving organ to Clare, a woman he originally met 21 years ago while serving as a police officer.
The transplant, which took place last month, lasted four hours and was described by doctors as being the equivalent of undergoing three C-sections. Despite some ongoing discomfort, Tim has returned to work and is now planning fundraising efforts to raise awareness of both organ donation and homelessness.
Tim first met Clare while acting as a family liaison officer, supporting her after the death of her 20-year-old son in a car crash. At the time, she was already living with kidney failure and undergoing dialysis.
The pair stayed in touch, and when Tim learned that the kidney she had received from a deceased donor was failing, he offered to donate one of his own.
Tim said:
“When you see someone facing such immense challenges, the desire to help is instinctive.
“We lost touch for a while, but when we reconnected and I learned how critical her situation was, offering my kidney felt like the natural, human thing to do.
“At Salvation Army Booth House, we talk about giving people the tools and time for a fresh start; this was just another form of that same principle.”
The transplant has given Clare a new lease of life, freeing her from the demands of regular dialysis. She hopes to soon return to horse riding.
Tim, meanwhile, is preparing for a fundraising challenge next year. In March 2026, he plans to walk from The Salvation Army’s London headquarters to Booth House in Swindon, sleeping rough along the way to highlight issues around homelessness and organ donation.
He also intends to launch a GoFundMe page to support both transplant-related charities and Booth House.
Clare will join the campaign by completing a series of daily challenges with her horse during the same week.
Tim said:
“This experience has shown me the profound difference a single act can make.
“If my story encourages just one person to consider organ donation or to support the work of organisations like The Salvation Army, then this journey will have an even greater purpose.”
Deborah Toomey, Service Manager at Booth House Lifehouse, said:
“Tim’s selflessness is an inspiration to us all.
“His actions—both in his daily work and through this incredible donation—perfectly embody the spirit of compassion and service at the heart of everything we do.
“We are incredibly proud of him.”
Booth House Lifehouse, located on Spring Close, provides 24-hour accommodation and resettlement support for adults facing homelessness. It offers practical help with life skills, access to healthcare, addiction recovery, and emotional support.
Residents also gain work experience through social enterprises such as The Sandwich People and Recycles, which help build employment skills.
More information about Booth House can be found at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/booth-house-swindon-lifehouse
