THE parents of a teenage Kidderminster worker with a rare kidney disease are appealing for other youngsters with a kidney condition to come forward to offer support for their son.

Jake Wolfenden was a fit and healthy 18-y ear-old, until he suffered a large blood clot on his leg in May last year .

His world was turned upside down when tests showed he had focal segmental glomerulones- clerosis (FSGS), a rare disease that causes the immune system to attack and slowly destroy the kidneys.

The condition means his kidney function will deteriorate until, eventually, his kidneys fail completely.

It is possible that he will need a kidney transplant in the future but the disease will continue to attack the donor kidney, as it did his own.

Jake, now 19, has to take 22 tablets a day, follow a restricted diet plan and must wear compres-sion tights for the rest of his life to control the condition.

Before the diagnosis, Jak e, of Stourbridge, was training to be a telecommications rigger at A&S Rigging in Kidderminster, where he worked alongside his father, Adrian.

As he was unable to continue in that role, bosses found a new position for him in the warehouse.

His father said: “Both bosses have been fantastically understanding about Jake’s condition.

The new position allows him rest days and time to attend hospital appointments .”

Although Jake is continuing to work and go about his daily life, his mother, Bridgette, said he had many questions about his condition that she could not answer.

Mr Woolfenden has urged any young person with a kidney condition to get in touch by calling 07813078256 or sending an email to jakus17@hotmail.co .uk