Transplant recipients to represent county as team

Adrian Heeley has been swimming three times a week and cycling up to 15 miles

Organ transplant recipients and donors from Gloucestershire are forming the county's first British Transplant Games team.

Adrian Heeley, Liam Ward, Ryan Penfold, Andrew Danson, and Tracie Cox will take part in the games, which will take place in Nottingham from 1-4 August.

More than 1,000 recipients and donors from across the country will compete in more than 25 sports at the games.

Gloucestershire Kidney Patients' Association said it was supporting the county's team "to show what can be achieved after a transplant".

Honouring his donor

Liam Ward is also running the London Marathon 2025 to raise money for Kidney Research UK

Mr Heeley, 58, was put on full dialysis for four years after his kidneys began failing, and received a kidney and pancreas transplant on 30 July 2023.

Just days after the first anniversary of receiving the double transplant, cyclist Mr Heeley, from Stonehouse, will represent Gloucestershire in a time trial, in which he hopes to honour the memory of his donor.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Liam Ward from Gloucester is entering the 5km run and darts events.

Mr Ward's kidney issues were picked up during a medical examination after he applied to join the army in 2013, and he received a transplant for his IgA Nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease, two years ago.

Ryan Penfold has previously competed in five British Transplant Games

Ryan Penfold from Newnham-on-Severn had a kidney transplant for chronic renal failure when he was five.

Now 19, Mr Penfold, who works in construction and part-time as a lifeguard, will be cheered on in tennis, golf and six-a-side football events by his girlfriend and parents at the games.

The fourth Gloucestershire competitor, Andrew Danson, has signed up for both the 1,500m and 5km running events.

The Cheltenham resident, 42, was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy following an employment health check, and received a kidney transplant from his mum in 2011.

Mr Danson has signed up for both the 1500m and 5km running events in August.

Cinderford's Tracie Cox donated a kidney last year after her brother, Simon, who had hereditary Polycystic Kidney Disease, received one from someone else.

Ms Cox, 53, is hoping to raise awareness of organ donation by taking part in the 5k (3.1 mile) donor run.

After being told her BMI needed to be below 30 to donate, Ms Cox began her weight loss journey, and said she is now "healthier and fitter than ever" after losing approximately seven stone.

"It’s not just a brilliant thing to do for someone else but actually is a really positive thing to do for yourself as well," she said.

'Transform lives'

Gloucestershire Kidney Patients Association said transplants could "completely transform lives".

"Organ donation can only happen due to the generosity of donors and their families, either living or deceased," a spokesperson said.

"As a charity we wanted to support the team at the games to show what can be achieved after a transplant and to pay tribute to all the donors and their families."