Local 'athletes' selected for GB World Transplant Games
Five local people have been chosen to represent Great Britain in the 2019 World Transplant Games.
It follows a successful summer for the ‘athletes’ after returning home to east London from this year’s British Transplant Games laden with 1 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Five of these - who compete on behalf of Barts Health NHS Trust - have now been selected to take part at the World Transplant Games to be held in Gateshead and Newcastle from 17th-24th August 2019. They are among 400 transplanted athletes selected across the UK to represent the country.
Demonstrating the ability of transplant recipients to lead healthy, normal lives, the Games aim to enhance the understanding and acceptance of organ donation.
Around 6,000 people in the UK are waiting for an organ transplant, with around three people dying each day in need of an organ.
Those celebrating their healthier lives by competing with Barts Health NHS Trust are:
- Jack Booth (pictured) who lives in Romford had a kidney transplant 18 years ago. He entered 5 events and won 4 silver medals. He was selected for Swimming and Badminton.
- Charlotte Archer-Gay who lives in Romford had a kidney transplant 3 years ago. She entered 4 events and won 2 bronze medals, and has been selected for Table Tennis.
- Joan Bell who lives in Wickford has had a kidney transplant 20 years ago. She was selected for Athletics.
- Antony Capon who lives in Upminster had a bone marrow transplant 6 years ago. He entered 2 events and won 2 bronze medals. He was selected for cycling.
- Norbert McGarr who lives in Billericay had a kidney transplant 29 years ago. He entered 2 events and won 1 gold medal. He was selected for Golf and Badminton.
The World Transplant Games will see athletes from around 59 countries take part in 16 different sports including athletics, swimming and football.
Tell your family and friends you want to save lives through organ donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register