A TEENAGER has lost his lifelong battle against kidney problems after dying at home just days before Christmas.The parents of Carl Elwood, 19, have spoken about the "shock" of losing their only child who had been fighting illness since he was born and had been living with one partially performing kidney from the age of one.

A TEENAGER has lost his lifelong battle against kidney problems after dying at home just days before Christmas.

The parents of Carl Elwood, 19, have spoken about the "shock" of losing their only child who had been fighting illness since he was born and had been living with one partially performing kidney from the age of one.

Tragedy struck the family of Lavenham Road, Acton, near Sudbury, on December 18, exactly a week before they would have celebrated Christmas together.

The youngster's father, farm worker Colin, and mother, Kathleen, have praised the renal department of Ipswich Hospital for its help over the last year.

It was 12 months ago that Carl's condition deteriorated and since then he has been visiting the department three times a week for dialysis treatment.

Mr Elwood said: "The hospital was brilliant throughout that time. We were warned Carl could die at any time, but when it occurred his passing came as a shock."

The couple has asked that any donations be made to the hospital's renal department in memory of the former Sudbury Upper School pupil.

Mrs Elwood said, despite his illness, during most of his school days Carl had done everything to live a normal life.

"Although people knew Carl had to go to hospital for check-ups about every six months, most of those around him did not realise he had anything wrong with him. He played youth football and swam. He was determined to put his illness to the back of his mind."

Born with renal complications, Carl had a kidney removed when he was just a year old at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, and as he grew up went for regular check-ups at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London.

From the age of 10 he played football for Acton Crown in the Colchester and District Youth League, winning several trophies with the team.

He also swam regularly at the Kingfisher Leisure Pool in Sudbury, taking part in a number of charity swims.

But when he was 13 he suffered a serious attack of pneumonia, receiving treatment in Great Ormond Street for 10 days.

Following that he did not resume his sporting interests but, after leaving school, was able to undertake seasonal farm work with his father for two years, and then carried out similar employment with a local agricultural contractor, before having to cease employment last year.

In recent times he had taken up wood turning on a new lathe installed at his home.

Carl was also a former pupil of Acton Primary School, and All Saints Middle School in Sudbury. His funeral took place at West Suffolk Crematorium yesterday. >>>.