On Monday, BBC Radio 4 began an excellent 3 part series on relationships that have survived against the odds. Running each week at 11:00 and lasting 30 minutes, each episode focuses on how 2 couples have developed and forged relationships that work.

There are some beautiful stories and some heartbreaking moments, but each is thoroughly uplifting and gives tremendous insight into what happens to people when they fall in love.
Episode One concerns the lives of Gordon and Ellen who married within 3 days of meeting each other and have celebrated 40 years together. Episode Two is on the 24th December and concentrates on the life of Gillian and Stewart who met when she was 42 and he 26 and are still together 20 years later.

For more information and to listen again please click here to be forwarded to the Radio 4 website.

A Scottish man has received the gift of a new kidney on the eve of his wedding anniversary it was announced this week.
The UK’s first paired Kidney transplant - meaning two unrelated couples have donated and received kidneys from each other, has been carried out. Incredibly this has only been possible since 1st September 2006, when the Human Tissue Act (HTA) was amended. Prior to this patients could only receive a live transplant from a relative or close friend.

There are about 6,500 people awaiting a new kidney in the UK and enduring regular dialysis, but last year around only 2,000 transplants were completed. The couples hope by publicising their involvement that it will encourage other’s to sign up to the register, of which there are only 31 pairs so far.

Further information and links to the HTA can be found by clicking HERE.

If so, we’d love it if you would share your stories with us - just to prove that old-fashioned romance still exists out there.

We’ll make sure that you remain anonymous if you prefer so don’t be shy!