David McKenna’s Incredible Survival Story Unveiled!

It is the ultimate story of survival and savagery. Lord Of The Flies, the classic tale of a group of British schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island during a nuclear war, is set to become the BBC's latest must-watch Sunday night drama.

But if anyone knows what it's like to survive against the odds, it's one of the young actors who plays a lead role in the adaptation of William Golding's novel.

David McKenna, 12, who plays Piggy in the drama which starts tonight, has an extraordinary real-life tale of hardship and resilience – he has received two kidney transplants after being born with chronic kidney failure.

And in a heart-warming twist, it was David's own parents who gave him their organs to save his life. 

His first kidney was donated by his father, Jim, when David was four – and when that failed six years later, his mother Elizabeth stepped in to provide another organ. 

The schoolboy, from Belfast, has fought through years of painful treatment, including being fed by tube, and has been in and out of hospital throughout his childhood. But his 'mischievous' spirit and passion for acting has not been diminished.

In a video posted on Facebook to mark the 25th anniversary of charity Children's Kidney Fund NI in November 2024, David said of his two transplants: 'It has changed my life. I'm really proud of myself to think that 18 months ago, I was sat on a dialysis chair.

'Now I'm winning musical theatre trophies, starring in musicals and I have something very exciting coming my way very soon.'

 David McKenna, 12, who plays Piggy in the Lord of Flies TV show, is seen with his sister Eimear, mum Elizabeth and dad Jim

David McKenna can be seen portraying Piggy - known for his fire-starting glasses - in the BBC's Lord Of The Flies series

David after his kidney transplant aged four. The first kidney was donated by his father and when that failed six years later, his mother Elizabeth stepped in to provide another organ

It is now believed David was alluding to his forthcoming role in Lord Of The Flies which was filmed in Malaysia and the UK last year.

Most of the cast are, like David, making their professional acting debuts. He is joined by Lox Pratt who plays Jack and Londoner Winston Sawyers who is Ralph. Ike Talbut, from Oxford, is the shy and introspective Simon.

Not only is the role a huge milestone in David's dream to become a star of the stage and screen, but it is also a welcome distraction from his health struggles. 

As he told a news programme in his native Northern Ireland, performing 'takes my mind off it'. 

David was just two weeks old when he was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, and had just 18 per cent kidney function.

Doctors knew he would need a transplant at some point, when he had reached the right size and weight, and his parents did not hesitate to put themselves forward as donors.

Elizabeth told their local paper, the Belfast Telegraph: 'Myself and Jim were tested and he was a match. He said, 'He is my son and I will do anything to help him'.'

The operation took place in October 2016 and it 'transformed his life' overnight, his mother said. 

David McKenna with his mother Elizabeth, who donated her kidney to him at the age of 10

David McKenna with his baby sister Eimear

'We are exhausted now because he is living life to the full,' Elizabeth said afterwards. 

'Before the transplant we did not have that, he did not have any energy, and all of a sudden, almost overnight, he woke up and that was it. 

'He could not walk unaided before because he didn't have the balance but now he is off round the park on his own. We couldn't enjoy that before, it is things like that other people take for granted.'

But the organ began to fail within the year, and David's parents were told he would likely need another one. 

During a televised appeal for kidney donors in 2022, Elizabeth said the 'preferred option' was a live donor coming forward who was a match for David. But in 2023, when David was ten, Elizabeth donated her own kidney.

Since then, David has been continuing his training at the Belfast school of Performing Arts and having singing lessons. 

As Elizabeth has said: 'We are so proud of him every day.'