Inspirational local athletes to compete in British Transplant Games
An inspiring team of local organ transplant recipients will be taking on the challenge to compete as part of the South West Team in this year’s Westfield Health British Transplant Games.
The Games take place in Sheffield from 15-18 August 2013. Hundreds of transplant athletes will compete in archery, obstacle course, sports hall athletics, table tennis, badminton, speed walking, sport stacking and volleyball at EIS Sheffield, where Olympic gold medallists Jessica Ennis and Nicola Adams train.
Janet Jenkins, South West Team Manager said: “These Games show how amazing the ‘Gift of Life’ can be. Transplantation helps so many people and if it was not for the generosity of someone willing to be a donor, we would not be able to attend and compete in these games.
“I am proud of everyone in the team and our supporters and sponsors. We will do our best to bring back some medals not just for our region but also the medical teams, nurses, our families and most importantly to say ‘thank you’ to our donor and their families.”
The South West Team:
- John Wollington from Plymouth competing in table tennis, crown green bowls, discus and javelin
- Tony Edwards from Plymouth competing in archery, table tennis and badminton
- Derek Scoble from Plymouth competing in golf
- Terry Wright from Looe competing in long jump and the 5k walk
- Keith Parsons from Plymouth competing in long jump, ball throw, javelin, 100m and 200m track
- Stuart House, originally from Plymouth and now based in Bristol who will be competing in the discus, javelin, shot putt, 200m and 400m track
Claire West, Deputy Team Manager and Research Nurse at Derriford Hospital said: “The Transplant Games is a great platform to demonstrate the importance of organ donation. If it wasn’t the selflessness of the organ donors many of the competitors at this year’s Games simply would not be here.
“I would like to wish the Plymouth Team the best of luck at these Games.”
Graham Moore, Chairman of the Games’ Local Organising Committee and headline sponsor Westfield Health, said: “It’s a great opportunity for athletes such as the South West Transplant Team to share their stories and inspire people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
“The Games showcase the benefits of transplantation and the healthy, active lives many patients can now lead.”
Organised on behalf of the charity Transplant Sport, the Games are one of the UK’s biggest annual multi-sports events and showcases the benefits of transplantation, whilst giving people aged between four and 80-years-old who have had a transplant the chance to compete in a wide range of sport activities.
More than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, three a day will die because there are not enough organs available.
To add your name to the NHS Organ Donor Register call 0300 1232323, text SAVE to 84118 or visit organdonation.nhs.uk
It’s also important to talk to those closest to you about your organ donation wishes.
For more info about the Westfield Health British Transplant Games visit britishtransplantgames.co.uk or follow @WHBTG on Twitter.
