The 67-year-old Banks man and his wife Edna travelled to Adelaide to thank the couple who donated the kidney he received 22 years ago.

Mr and Mrs Pert were invited to the home of Ian and Judy Baty, who decided in 1986 to donate their son David's organs after he died from injuries suffered in a car crash.

For Mr Pert, it was the end of 312 years of dialysis and kidney disease.

''It's been emotional and very uplifting to meet Ian and Judy in person. It is a completely different kettle of fish, it feels great,'' Mr Pert said.

The couples had been in contact for the past 18 months, initially through anonymous letters, before a series of phone calls helped arrange the meeting.

Both couples invited television cameras to the meeting to help promote greater awareness of organ donation.

Mrs Baty said meeting Ken and Edna helped provide closure to the family, and emphasised the value of their decision. ''I was very, very happy to meet Ken and Edna. It is wonderful to know that something good did come out of the tragedy of our son being killed.''

Mr Baty said he was pleased to see Ken still receiving benefit from David's kidney after so long.