A MAN who was left sterile after treatment for a rare kidney condition is now a dad of five after receiving a “second chance” transplant.

Malcolm Armstrong, 44, from Airdrie, was diagnosed with Goodpasture’s Syndrome in 2005, an autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack the lungs and kidneys, leading to bleeding from the lungs and kidney failure.

Malcolm and his wife Michelle, already had a daughter, Emily, but were forced to put plans to extend their family on hold after the drugs used to treat the condition left him infertile.

However after receiving a kidney transplant, the Police family liaison officer was able to come off the medication, restoring his fertility and the couple went on to welcome Daniel, 13, Rosie, 12, Eve, 10, and Ben, 9.

Malcolm backed a drive to encourage the public to sign up to the organ donor register as the country marked the 25th anniversary of its launch.

Read more: Scotland's new transplant system to go live in 2020 

More than 6,000 lives have been saved or transformed since it was launched on October 1994,

Malcolm said: “I think organ donation and the NHS Organ Donor Register is one of the most important things in society. If your organs can be used by someone else when you die, then why not give them that second chance.

“As well as joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, having that vital conversation about your donation decision can make sure that somebody in need can benefit.

“The transplant gave me a second chance at having more children, and being here for my first born.

“Of course, having five kids comes with its challenges, but I absolutely love the life we have and absolutely wouldn’t change it for the world.

Read more: 'Thank you for giving me my son back': Mum tells of gratitude to heart donor 

“It’s the biggest gift you can give someone and has a huge ripple effect on their whole life. If it wasn’t for the decision made by my donor, I wouldn’t be here or have a future with my wife and kids. It’s as simple as that.”

From Autumn 2020, Scotland will switch to an opt-out transplant system, whereby individuals are required to register an objection if they do not wish to donate after death. However, family will still be consulted about the final decision.

The Evening Times led a five-year campaign calling for the change, which is expected to increase the number of organs available for transplant. Currently, less than half of the Scottish population is on the organ donor register.

People can find out more about the opt out system of organ and tissue donation, and their choices at organdonationscotland.org