City to host Transplant Games for first time

The Nottingham Transplant Team has taken part in the annual games since 1987

About 1,000 athletes who have had life-saving transplants are due to compete in this year's British Transplant Games, being held in Nottingham for the first time.

Transplant recipients of all ages will take part in various sports including track and field, swimming, basketball and badminton at venues across the city from 1 to 4 August.

The event aims to encourage people who have had a transplant to stay active post-surgery as well as raising awareness of organ donation and giving thanks to the families of donors.

It first took place in 1978 in Portsmouth.

This year's event will see athletes from more than 60 hospital teams across the country representing their transplant unit.

Children under five will also be able to take part in events, including bean bag archery, obstacle courses and a 25m race.

Sports for other age groups, including those over 70, include squash, table tennis and cycling.

'Second chance'

Denise Collier, 69, and Mark Harrington, 41, both had kidney transplants at Nottingham's City Hospital on 1 January 2022 and are due to compete in ten pin bowling at the games.

Ms Collier, from Newark, said: "It's very humbling to be part of a group of people, who've gone through what they've been through and have come out the other side.

"We are living life to the full and getting the absolute most of this second opportunity that we have been given."

Mr Harrington, from Mickleover, Derby, said: "It's a way for anyone who's received a transplant to say thank you to the donor families, who may have lost love ones.

"We've got a second chance at life and we're not going to waste it."

Nigel Gregory, chief executive of the Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said it had supported the event for more than a decade and contributed almost £220,000 to help adults and children participate.

"It's exciting for the charity and it's exciting for Nottingham," he said.

Tim Reddish, chairman at the 2024 British Transplant Games, added: "This is a wonderful chance to express our gratitude towards the donor families and live donors who selflessly contribute to improving the quality of life for people all over the UK."

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