Competitors triumph at Transplant Games

Team Plymouth scooped a total of 25 medals at this year’s British Transplant Games – a great effort and one more medal than last year.

The 10 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals were won by the eight competitors who represented Team Plymouth. All eight, aged between 22 and 70, have received a life-saving kidney transplant at Derriford Hospital.

This year’s games were held in Newcastle, from July 30 to August 2, and were the largest for several years with more than 900 competitors. Events included swimming, bowling, tennis, golf, archery, badminton, shot putt, high jump, walking, track events, and cycling.

Claire West, Plymouth Hospitals Research Nurse Specialist and Deputy Team Manager, said: “The large amount of competitors highlights the benefit of organ donation. This is a truly emotional, inspiring event. When the donor families walk into the Opening Ceremony, they always receive a standing ovation for their selfless decision of deciding to donate their loved ones organs.

“Having seen, yet again the benefits of organ donation and what a difference it can make, I would urge everyone to sign the organ donor register and discuss their wishes with their families.”

Team manager, Janet Jenkins, led by example winning with a gold medal and personal best in shot putt plus three silver and one bronze medal in swimming. Janet, 53, from Plymouth, said: “The 2015 Games were my 13th after having my transplant in 2002 and I’m really so pleased with my results and medals especially in the swimming events - plus gaining a gold in the shot putt.

“During my teens I used to swim, compete and coach synchronised swimming and I played in goal for water polo with Port of Plymouth SA, but kidney failure took over and I was unable to continue with my favourite sport.

“Since my transplant I have had so many opportunities, for instance representing Great Britain at two World Games where I still hold the world record for the short course 200m Individual Medley.

“There are so many people to thank for me being able to have this ‘second chance’ to live but really the only person I want to give my whole hearted thanks is to my donor for signing the organ donor register and not forgetting their family for granting the wishes of my donor.

“As Manager for the Plymouth Team I’m so proud of the 2015 team and their achievements. By  just being at the games you’re already a winner. I wish to encourage as many transplantees to attend the British Transplant Games representing the South West and emphasise - 'you don’t have to be sporty’, there is an event for all and all abilities to try.  What a way to ‘show off’ the benefits of organ donation!”

Paul Tucker, 45, from Dartmouth, was competing at the Games for the first time. He won gold medals in social short tennis and tennis and silver in badminton. He said: “My first experience of the games was fantastic. I met some amazing people and I am already looking forward to next year in Liverpool.

“I was lucky enough to have a living donor, my niece, who I will be eternally grateful to for giving me this chance to live a fairly normal life. I have always been heavily involved in sport from being a child, and I played tennis whilst on dialysis and right up to the day before my transplant. It is great to be able to play now without having to worry about how bad I am going to feel afterwards.”

The Westfield Health British Transplant Games, organised by the charity Transplant Sport, is one of the largest annual multi-sports events in the United Kingdom. Since 1978, the Games have been held annually at various locations throughout the UK. They are designed to highlight the benefits of transplantation and increase public awareness of the need for more people to join the NHS Organ Donation Register and to discuss their wishes with their families.

This year’s members were Janet and Paul; Tracy Carroll, from near Helston; Bradley Ball, from Plymouth; John Wollington, from Plymouth; Terry Wright, from Looe; Keith Parsons, from Plymouth and Stuart House, who recently moved from Torpoint to Bristol.

The team would like to thank all sponsors including Derriford Hospital Renal Department, Summerskills Brewery, Devonport Employees Trust, Green Taverners, Bay Horse Inn and Ian Jarvis.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register and help save lives TEXT: SAVE to 62323; call 0300 123 2323 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk