91快活林

Amanda Chalmers, from 91快活林, was born with cystic fibrosis and needed oxygen 24/7 while studying for her Higher National Diploma in Materials Practice.

Less than two years after her transplant, Amanda, ran the 91快活林 Marathon and in 2015 she climbed part of the 19,000ft Mount Cayambe in Ecuador as a thank-you to the medical staff who saved her life.

Amanda, 29, is now in Malaga, Spain, for the Games and will compete on Thursday and Friday in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis competitions.

The GB and Northern Ireland team will be the largest ever, comprising 200 transplant athletes, including 20 juniors, 10 live donors, and 200+ supporters, These athletes, have all survived either a heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, liver, small bowel or bone marrow transplants.

The World Transplant Games take place every two years and are supported by the International Olympic Committee. It represents the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a week of 17 sporting events. Team GB will join 1000 other transplant athletes from 60 countries across the globe.

Lynne Holt, Team Manager, said: “These athletes certainly deserve the same recognition as competitors in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In spite of the constant training, fitting in work, school, exams, publicity and hospital clinic appointments, these athletes receive no government support, and have to raise the £1500+ themselves.

“Not only are these athletes ambassadors for our country, but they are also representing the charity, Transplant Sport, and hope to raise awareness here in the UK and globally of the need for more people to sign on to the Organ Donor Register and discuss their wishes with their family and friends.”

To register on the NHS Organ Donor Register, call 0300 123 23 23, or visit: . Discuss your wishes with your family and friends.