A TEENAGER is preparing to go completely silent to support a charity which has helped, and continues to help, her sister.

Felicity Thompson, 14, is taking on a sponsored silence on Friday next week in aid of Kidney Research UK, a cause close to her heart as sister Naomi, 17, was born with chronic renal failure.

The Tadley family has been fundraising for Kidney Research UK for a number of years as a result with Felicity’s efforts the latest instalment.

The teenager is hoping to raise £500 and if she hits the target, she has pledged to double her period of silence.

Mum Jo Connors said: “I don’t know how she is going to do it, she is a very chatty 14-year-old! She tried it for half an hour the other day and that was difficult.

“She is even having no technology so no phones, no computer to communicate, just a notepad and pen.”

The family has seen the tangible benefits of their fundraising for Kidney Research UK over the years.

Jo added: “We have been told by doctors directly that Naomi has benefitted from the research that Kidney Research UK does. The reason she hasn’t had to have dialysis is the research done years ago thanks to the charity."

“That’s the twofold reason we support that particular charity - one its the only kidney research charity in the UK and two we know the benefits of it.”

In a week when the government announced plans to introduce an ‘opt-out’ organ donation system by 2020, the family is also raising awareness of the importance of donating organs as Joe Thompson, now 22, donated a kidney to his younger sister in the past.

Jo added: “We were very lucky to have that match. We see other children who don’t have a match in their family and are left waiting - they just get sicker and sicker and then they die. It is absolutely awful.

“The change in donation law will make a massive difference.”

To donate to the challenge, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/peanutssponsoredsilence.

To register as an organ donor, go to organdonation.nhs.uk.