Absolutely in awe

"I had a condition called Keratoconus.

"Now, Keratoconus is not the lead singer of Atomic Kitten – you're thinking of Kerry Katona – or Kiri Te Kanawa, that's another famous opera singer..."

That's the sharp, comedic mind of Paul Kerensa at work, playfully joking about a condition that was significantly impairing his vision, causing daily pain and headaches.

"As a writer doing a full day of writing on a computer screen," Paul says, "I could mostly expect a headache at the end of the day just because the left eye is looking at this glare and not really making sense of it at all.

"It's fine when looking at a view, looking out the window, or even driving I suppose, but it's when you're looking at text all day long, then it's tricky.

"After so many headaches I eventually said to the doctors 'Let's do this!'"

Paul jokes, "The last thing I should be getting as a comedian is cornier, but I needed one!"

A cornea, that is. The clear outer layer of tissue at the front of the eye, which lets light in to enable sight.

Paul continues: "There was a marvellous woman – I don't know anything about her, apart from that she was 65 – and she had ticked the box on the NHS Organ Donor Register that said her cornea could be given away when she no longer needed it.

"And one day I needed it, so I'm very grateful that after she'd died her cornea was then saved and given to me.

"I'm in awe really, absolutely in awe."

Paul's cornea transplant has enabled him to see his children grow.

The gift of sight Paul received has also provided the opportunity to develop his career in comedy, which spans scriptwriting for such high-profile BBC shows as Not Going Out, Miranda and Top Gear, writing a series of books, hosting podcasts and performing stand-up comedy.

Whilst researching for an episode of his 'The British Broadcasting Century' podcast, Paul unearthed the story of Captain Ian Fraser, who lost his sight in World War One, joined St Dunstan's Hostel for the Blind, and from there masterminded London's first ever radio broadcast in 1921 – a comedy charity fundraiser – and invented the audiobook, so he could hear his favourite poems and stories on gramophone record.

Paul says: "It's pure chance that I've had a few brushes with sight issues myself - but I'm glad to tell life stories like his on my podcast and in my live show.

"I'm forever grateful for the generosity of my donor. Please think about donation. Talk about donation. Someone I've never met has changed my life."

More than 4,000 people are currently waiting for a cornea transplant in the UK. Over 500 people have been waiting for more than a year.
There is a national shortage of donors and yet almost anyone can be considered for cornea donation.

You could help give someone, like Paul, the gift of sight back.

Confirm your decision to be a cornea donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Visit organdonation.nhs.uk or use the NHS App.