LIKE any parents, all Frank Rooney and Maryanne Stewart want for their toddler is a normal life.

But three-year-old John Paul was born with an extremely rare kidney problem that has left him needing nightly dialysis treatment.

Now the couple hope a kidney transplant could change their little boy's life.

And to say thank you to the staff at Yorkhill Children's Charity who helped John Paul they have launched a fundraising bid.

Maryanne, 30, said: "We are really amazed at how far on John Paul has come.

"He's just like any other lively wee boy and he's actually at nursery school now too.

"Everything he has to go through he just accepts and doesn't make any fuss, but I wouldn't wish this against anybody.

"If the kidney transplant can go ahead then it will be amazing.

"Just the thought of a normal life for him and being able to go away on holiday would be brilliant."

The Evening Times first told in February 2011 how John Paul had been diagnosed with kidney problems in the womb.

John Paul, the couple's first child, had to be delivered one month early so he could receive emergency medical treatment for his prune belly syndrome - a rare genetic disorder that affects the kidneys and bladder.

Babies with the illness, which is also called Eagle-Barrett syndrome, have no abdominal muscles or very weak abdominal muscles and can be born with extra wrinkled skin on their bellies.

The illness was picked up at Maryanne's 20-week scan and she had to attend hospital every week of her pregnancy.

Fluid had been building up in John Paul's body and damaging his renal system.

A total of 20% of babies with PBS are stillborn, while 30% die of renal failure before their second birthday.

After being born one month early he was taken immediately for an operation on his kidneys and stomach then spent two weeks in intensive care.

Since being allowed home at three weeks old, John Paul has needed round-the-clock care.

He had dialysis at home every night and attends Yorkhill Children's Hospital at least every Tuesday.

It had been hoped that his condition, which affects just one in 40,000 births, would be managed by drugs.

But, sadly, John Paul now needs a kidney transplant.

Both Maryanne, who works for Arnold Clark, and Frank were tested for compatibility.

And dad Frank, also 30, is a 99% match.

Maryanne added: "Dad is more laidback while mum is very much the worrier. Frank would say all the time that he was sure he would be a match while I couldn't even think about it for worrying.

"When John Paul was born they 're-plumbed' him so now they need to decide how to proceed with the kidney transplant - whether they do separate operations before or after the transplant to put all his tubes back in the right place.

"All we can do now is wait."

When John Paul was five-months-old, Maryanne and Frank launched a fundraising drive to generate £5000 for Yorkhill's renal ward.

And Maryanne is now aiming to hit the target by taking part in a zipslide tomorrow from Finnieston Crane across the Clyde.

Although she says she's terrified of completing the challenge, the mum will have support from her two cousins, Laura Gebbie, 25, and Arlene Wilkie, 16.

Maryanne, who recently moved from Finnieston to Hamilton, said: "We have our own consultant at Yorkhill who's outstanding. We're up there every Tuesday at the least - sometimes twice a week - so that's out second family and our second home.

"You can't spend that much time there and see the work they do without wanting to give them something back.

"Our £5000 challenge was put on hold because caring for John Paul has been so time consuming but now that he is making such good progress it's time to hit the target.

"He wouldn't be where he is without Yorkhill but John Paul is a great wee guy and I'm proud to say he's mine."

To sponsor Maryanne see www.justgiving.com/frkitchencleaners

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk