A DEVOTED father has given his sick little girl the greatest present she could hope for – the gift of life.

Three-year-old Olivia Taylor, from Thorpe Bay, received a kidney from loving dad, Paul, in a life-saving operation.

Little Olivia was diagnosed with a bilateral Wilms tumour, a rare form of cancer, in April 2008.

She subsequently had both of her kidneys removed to fight the cancer, and spent up to 12 hours a night on a dialysis machine.

Paul and Olivia’s mum Natalie Taylor, were told she would have to wait up to two years for a vital transplant operation.

They were expecting she would be able to have the operation in November, but after a life-threatening infection, it was brought forward to February.

Olivia contracted the infection, due to problems with her dialysis machine last August, and was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Natalie, 36, said: “It was horrible.

“We almost lost her twice, but she was discharged a week and a half later.

“Afterwards, we had to take her to Great Ormond Street three times a week to spend four hours on dialysis, which was exhausting.

“But after that, we were told her operation would be moved from November to February this year, which was fantastic news.”

Though both her parents were identified as suitable donors, it was Paul, 39, who was identified as the strongest suitable donor.

At 7.30am on February 16, Paul was taken into surgery at Guy’s Hospital in London.

Olivia went into surgery at 2pm at Great Ormond Street Hospital the same day to receive his kidney.

Three months later, Olivia is now fully recovered, but will be kept on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life.

She is now proudly showing off her long hair, which has grown back following intensive chemotherapy.

Natalie added: “She is doing really well.

“It has totally changed things for our family.

“Olivia has bags of energy, and is always out on her scooter now.

“I never thought we would have this happen to us so soon. It is just amazing.”

Paul has also recovered and gone back to work.

Olivia will start at Bournes Green Infant School in September, with her brother James, who was praised as a “fantastic help” during Olivia’s ordeal.

Olivia is likely to need another transplant operation during her teens, but Natalie has said that when the time comes, it will be her turn to donate.