Salvation Army support worker donates kidney to save a life

In an extraordinary act of compassion that bridges two decades and two careers, Tim Swinburn, a Support Worker at The Salvation Army’s Swindon Booth House, has donated one of his kidneys to save the life of a woman he first met under the most tragic of circumstances. 

The successful transplant – a 4 hour procedure, “doctors described as equivalent of three C-sections” - took place last month. Though still feeling discomfort as his body adjusts to having one kidney, Tim is back at work and is excited about the future.                                                                             

Tim first encountered Clare 21 years ago while serving as a police officer. He was the family liaison officer tasked with informing her that her 20-year-old son had been killed in a car accident. At the time, she was already suffering from kidney failure and reliant on dialysis. They stayed in contact over the years, and when Tim learned that a kidney she had received from a deceased donor was failing—and her chances of securing another were slim—he did not hesitate to offer one of his own. 

Tim, who now provides a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness at the 50-bed Booth House hostel 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." 

The successful transplant has given Clare a new lease on life, freeing her from the exhausting routine of dialysis. Clare loves horses and she hopes to be on horseback soon.  

Now, Tim is channelling his experience into a new mission: raising awareness of organ donation and funds for The Salvation Army’s vital work. He plans to undertake fundraising challenges in March 2026 to support both transplant-related charities and Salvation Army Swindon Booth House, where he continues to support residents rebuilding their lives. 

• Tim's Plan: He will walk from Salvation Army Headquarters in London to Swindon Booth House, sleeping rough along the way to raise awareness about homelessness and organ donation. He also plans to set up a GoFundMe page in March next year to support these causes. 

• Clare's Plan: She will complete a series of challenges with her horse every day for a week to support the same awareness and fundraising campaign. 

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, expressed the profound admiration felt across the entire team, stating: “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, on 1 Spring Close in Swindon, provides 24-hour direct access accommodation and resettlement support for single men and women over 18. Residents receive practical support, including help with life skills, access to healthcare, and addiction recovery programs, in a safe and structured environment.  

The centre also offers employment guidance, budgeting advice, and emotional support, empowering individuals to rebuild their lives. Practical examples include work experience through social enterprises like The Sandwich People, which trains residents in food safety and customer service, and Recycles, a bike shop teaching mechanics. To learn more about Swindon Booth House and their programmes visit their website: Booth House Swindon Lifehouse | The Salvation Army .