Transplant Sport review 2015

Review of 2015www.transplantsport.org.uk

In this issue Page No

Introductions

Welcome from Andy Eddy, Chair of Trustees 3

Westfield Health British Transplant Games 2015

Newcastle Gateshead - the Full Report 4

Winners of Gala Dinner Trophies 2015 5

Living Donor’s join in 6

Events in 2015

World Transplant Games, Argentina 7

TS Racquets Tournament 8

TS Young Adults Weekend 9

TS 5 Nations Golf Tournament 10

TS Volleyball Tournament 11

New - TS Cycling 12

New - TS Bowls 13

Special Features

Interview with Lynne Holt 14

Where do you display your medals? 15

Events in 2016

Invitation to Snow Boot Camp 16

Launch WHBTG 2016 17

European Transplant Sport Championships 17

Members Stories

Members fundraising and other achievements 18

Children’s activities

TS Family weekend 20

Hello from Malcolm 21

Did you meet Pudsey at BTG? 22

Our budding TS Young Journalists 22

Our talented TS Young Reporters 23

TS Family Day 24

Our Evaluation of Activities for Children 25

Bouncing in Belfast 25

Get involved

Timetable of events for 2016 26

50 – 50 Club 27

Come to the Ball 27

Thanks from TS office 27

Transplant Sport - 2


Welcome to the Transplant Sport Review of 2015

This has been another amazing year for Transplant Sport in so many ways. The NewcastleGateshead Games were the biggest and best ever and a huge thank you to all those involved in making those games so spectacular. Thanks go in particular to the local organising committee, team managers, volunteers, athletes and supporters. I was particularly proud of the involvement of the Living Donors this year and we have a report on this aspect of the Games. I would also like to mention the support and involvement of Team Anthony Nolan who made a very welcome presence at the Games for the first time.

I would like to thank Graham Moore of Westfield Health who has confirmed that they will be sponsoring the British Transplant Games for a further three years which is incredible news. I would also like to thank our charity partners and sponsors who have continued to provide support for the Games over the years.

TS has been instrumental in bringing together all of the charities and organisations involved in organ donation and transplantation under the SAVE A LIFE A DAY campaign which is going from strength to strength, please keep a look out for further developments. We have established one message across all organisations to raise the awareness of the need for more potential donors.

In the review you will see some fantastic articles. We have our usual reports from – Racquets, the Young Adults Weekend, Volleyball and Golf. I am pleased that for the first time we have cycling and bowls which were new for 2015 and a great success.

There are reports from our excellent Kids Coordinator Malcolm on – the Games, Family Weekend, Tilgate day, Mountainboarding, Trampolining and include feedback from the kids.

More that ever before our fundraisers have been in action and I would like to thank each and every one who has fundraised in any way. There is a great piece on the variety of activities that they have been up to.

In the year in which our inspirational Lynne Holt finally retired from her amazing role as Transplant Coordinator at her beloved Freeman Hospital she is interviewed about her involvement and role.

I am delighted that we have more events happening, more fundraising taking place and more members joining TS than ever before. We have a Games which is internationally praised. Thank you for making Transplant Sport a charity we can all be really proud of.

I am looking forward to and excited about seeing you all in Liverpool in 2016.

Andy Eddy Chair of Trustees


Newcastle Gateshead - the Full Report

The 2015 games in Newcastle Gateshead undoubtedly set the bar high for future events. Liverpool will need to leap in 2016 to push it higher. The image of jumping cities aside, the British Transplant Games keeps growing every year retaining its aim of celebrating organ donation and the life that it gives, while spreading awareness, offering the chance to meet others with shared experiences, and to enjoy being active.

Over 700 athletes took part with thousands of spectators turning up. An impressive spectacle such as this, is in fact, merely the sum of many parts – comprising events in different sports, which can be further subdivided into individual athletes with varying levels of preparation and abilities, different reasons for being there and different life stories leading to getting there. It may seem on a massive scale, but each event is just about a group of like-minded people doing something they enjoy.

The facilities were all great with the Gateshead International Stadium forming the centrepiece - a place where not only have 5 athletic world records been set but even more spectacularly, Jon Bon Jovi once showcased his unique combination of lycra pants and poodle haircut at this very venue.

As the opening parade of athletes, supporters and representatives of the Donor Families walked the streets in front of welcoming, enthusiastic locals - and shop staff thankful for a break – it was a great start to proceedings.

After the multitude of perfectly organised events had finished the gala dinner materialized in all its glamorous splendour. Several sightings of Jeremy Kyle at different events led to speculation that we’d have a celebrity attending the gala.

Many were thrown by the Ant and Dec rumours, in the area as one of them was getting married; nobody was sure which one, although hopefully the bride was. But Jezza wasn’t in the North East to get married or scout for future guests for his show. Finishing off his appearance on stage with a promise to sign the organ donor register, witnessed by the whole audience, it was great in this year when donation rates have fallen, to see a public figure - even one as divisive as Jeremy - making such a public proclamation.

Somewhere in-between the parade and the gala dinner hundreds of people did their best to inspire, spread the message, meet personal goals, try new sports, get better at old ones, make friends, and celebrate just being alive.

Yet another inspirational transplant games – over to you Liverpool!

Paul Ashberry, Lung Recipient, Wythenshawe Team

The North East made us proud at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games


Trophy Winner Name and Team

Best Child under 5 Harry Mortimer, Manchester

Best Child 6-8 years Riley Greenwood, Manchester

Best child 9-11 years Esben Rost, Leeds

Best Child 12-14 years Samuel Griffiths, Freeman

Best Child 15-17 years Nicole Mackenzie, Evelina VIPS

Best Childrens Heart Team Freeman

Best Childrens Kidney Team Evelina VIPS

Best Childrens Liver Team Leeds

Overall Childrens Team Birmingham

Best Adult Male Liam Barnett, Addenbrookes and Matthew Salkeld, Birmingham

Best Adult Female Emma Dallman, Birmingham and Kelly Young, Kings

Best Senior Male Matt Cave, Bristol and John Tibbutt, Addenbrookes

Best Senior Female Emma Wiltshire, Birmingham

Best Super Senior Male Martin Graham, Newcastle

Best Super Senior Female Sarah Moody, Addenbrookes

Best Veteran Male Miguel Anson, Royal Free

Best Veteran Female Catherine Whitworth, Leeds

Best Super Veteran Male William Noble, Wythenshawe

Best Super Veteran Female Maggie Gambrill, Papworth and Karen Rockell, Kings

Outstanding Super Super Veteran Male Michael Foster, Harefield and Malcolm Souza-Lewis, Addenbrookes

Outstanding Super Super Veteran Female Jill Edwards, Harefield

Best Heart Transplantee William Noble, Wythenshawe

Best Heart & Lungs Team Harefield and Papworth

Ross Taylor Rose Bowl for the Addenbrookes Overall Best Adult Team

The Peter Griffin Award Lynne Holt

Winners of Gala Dinner Trophies 2015


The 2015 British Transplant Games were celebrated as “The Year of the Living Donor” and saw living donors competing against each other in swimming, athletics, golf and fishing for the first time in the history of the British Games.

I was fortunate to be part of a very special living donor swimming team that involved four different types of living donors. Our team comprised of: Serena Tucker from Plymouth who donated a kidney to her friend; Denise Young, who on the day of the race was celebrating the 21st anniversary of donating part of her liver to her daughter; Alan Wallet, from Aberdeen, who donated his kidney to a stranger; and myself, a non-directed liver donor from London. The four of us came together from the far ends of the country to compete against other living donors in the 4x50m freestyle race and were delighted to win first place and each take home gold medals.

We hope that many more living donors will rise to the challenge to compete in this year’s British Transplant Games in Liverpool, as I think many living donors were not aware it was possible to take part. Not only is it a fun way to keep fit and meet others from the transplant community, but taking part will help raise public awareness of living organ donation. As a competitor of the games you can promote living donation by getting the message out about your involvement in the Games through your local media.

Don’t forget that living donors can also take part in the Opening Ceremony by marching with all the other Transplant Games teams under the Living Donor Banner.

See you all in Liverpool!

Sue Gianstefani, Living Donor

Living Donors join in….


World Transplant Games, Argentina

After considerable commutes which encompassed almost every route imaginable, the team arrived in Mar Del Plata ready for the games. Our hotel, The Gran Provincial, or ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’, as it shall be known, was a huge seaside palace boasting 500 rooms as well as a few massive reception and dining rooms, rivalling those at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

The Opening Ceremony was a fantastic opportunity to experience some Argentinian culture (as well as reminding everyone of the spirit of the games). After a ‘short’ wait, presumably courtesy of some “Mañana mañana” culture, we were treated to a history of The Tango...after some speeches and formalities, of course.

Given that this was a sporting competition I should probably mention some sports...and medals. The GB & NI team performed immensely with a table topping 257 medal haul comprising of 128 Gold, 73 Silver and 56 Bronze. Athletics, swimming and cycling held the highest medal counts but the team performed well right across the board with medals coming in events such as badminton, golf, tennis, squash, pétanque and bowling.

One set of medals I have not mentioned yet was from Tejo. Tejo, for those who aren’t familiar, is a Latin American ‘pétanque’ style game, played with pucks

instead of balls. Although the Argentinian version, unlike the Colombian, didn’t include a mix of beer and explosives, I will never forget the experience. The setting was a freezing shed somewhere in the suburbs of Mar Del Plata, with music pumping, people dancing and steaks barbecuing on a grill out the back...mañana was a long way away. This, for me, summed up the games, everyone relaxed, chatty and having fun!

A special mention has to go to Lynne Holt and Barrie Laverick, as well as support workers (including captains, physios and doctors) within the wider team. From what I understand this hasn’t been the easiest games to organise but they did a great job making sure we all got there in one piece, were entered into our various sports and actually got to and from our various locations when necessary.

Overall the experience from my first World Games was fantastic, it really drove home how important organ donation is and what it means to so many people, their families and friends. It was a privilege to compete alongside people in similar situations especially those with truly inspirational tales to tell.

Matthew Quinn, Heart Recipient, Freeman Team


TS Racquets Tournament, Warrington

Walking into The David Lloyd Leisure Club for the racquets event brought back nerves from the previous year, but this year brought excitement too. I noticed some friendly faces and started to relax, remembering the fun of last year and why I’d chosen to return.

I enjoy badminton, but felt tennis was probably too adventurous; ill-health had greatly impacted on my fitness. But I received tuition from some excellent coaches whose infectious passion gave me the confidence I needed.

The first part of the day was a warm up session. Ability varied greatly with beginners and seasoned professionals taking part. There was a very sociable atmosphere, friendly with a competitive edge and in no way intimidating to those with little or no experience.

After the warm up session I headed off to play badminton. The courts were exceptional and brand new - what a treat!

I particularly enjoyed the way that both transplant and non-transplanted people played together. It brought a unique challenge and, I believe, a greater opportunity to promote the positive aspects of organ donation.

A break followed, which offered a chance to refuel and chat with old and new friends. The afternoon offered the opportunity to participate in both tennis and badminton. A very enjoyable day concluded with medal ceremonies, lots of tired, happy faces and many new friendships made.

For the first time this year Table Tennis was included as part of the event and Halton Table tennis club provided some great facilities

The event wasn’t over though. The evening that followed was a wonderful mixture of different people celebrating life.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a medal, but then was in total astonishment to be awarded the Cliff Lavin Trophy, particularly poignant as it was presented by a relative of Cliff Lavin. Words can’t express how honoured I was to receive it, especially after such a challenging year.

I’m very fortunate that I had my kidney transplant 26 years ago and I now feel privileged to meet so many inspirational people at events such as this.

I would totally recommend this event. It has given me confidence, and the belief that I can pick up a racquet and have a go. I’m determined to attend every year.

The event took place at the David Lloyd Centre in Warrington and Halton Table Tennis Club, with support from BTTAD and The Tennis Foundation. Please contact [email protected] for details on next year’s event or if you know a venue that would be interested in hosting.

Ayesha Tricket, Kidney Recipient, Coventry Team


TS Young Adult Weekend, CotswoldsIn March 2015 the Cotswolds was the venue for a fantastic event with 25 young 16 – 30 year olds attending. A great mix of people got involved who’d undergone different types of transplants or were on dialysis, and it led to a very sociable atmosphere.

Canoeing, raft-building, archery, pool and ten-pin bowling were all on the agenda, and everyone got involved, regardless of ability, and despite the poor weather on the Saturday, nobody was deterred from getting on the water.

Not only was a great deal of enjoyment had, but the weekend served a vital purpose, inspiring participants to maintain healthy, active lifestyles, and promoting transplantation as a way this kind of life can be lived. It also encourages attendees to spread the word about organ donation.

95% of those who filled in feedback forms said they would ‘highly recommend’ it, 73% rated it as ‘excellent’, and 79% planned to go on to compete in the British Transplant Games.

With those approval ratings and the comments on the Facebook page (opposite), it’s clear what a huge success the weekend was.

In 2016 the YAW will be in Blackpool from 20 – 22 May. See the TS website for more information. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet others in a sociable and fun environment

Joe Dunster, Kidney Recipient and Oxford Team Manager

“Had an absolute stonker of a weekend guys, love you all so much.”

“Thanks everyone for a great fun filled weekend, met some amazing people!!!”

“….if I’m being really honest it was so uplifting to finally meet up and spend time with people that actually understand what we have been through and be able to talk to them about it without blank expressions staring back at you”


Although Woodrow Wilson believed golf was an ‘ineffectual attempt to put an elusive ball into an obscure hole with implements ill-fitted to the purpose’ there are many more who believe ‘the worst day at golf beats the best day at work’, and as transplant recipients know a thing or two about bad days, it’s always good to have an opportunity to experience some good ones.

In pursuit of one of these good days, 27 tansplant recipients and supporters attended the TS 5 Nations Golf Tournament in June.

The weather proved an interesting combination of sunshine, rain and wind, which obviously presented a few problems for the golfers.

With the course in excellent condition, and the standard of play generally matching that level, the main event turned out to be a close run thing.

The winning team’s top 3 representatives, Charles Dyson, Andy McGarry and Sid Lamb graciously received the 5 Nations Trophy on behalf of England.

The Individual’s competition also resulted in a close contest with Charles Dyson representing England winning the Transplant Recipient’s event with Welshman, Ian Hiller, and Irishman, Andy Weir, in second and third places respectively.

In the Non-Transplant category the winner was Tony Sedgwick followed by Barry Cumberledge and in third place, Christopher Dyson.

The feedback received about the venue and the golf was excellent. Lynne Holt used her famous negotiation skills to get excellent terms for the use of the course at Close House, and our thanks also go to the staff and local professional at the club who assisted in the running of the competition, and also David Lilley for organising the event. The evening meal on the Saturday saw a team from Northern Ireland win the quiz, and then generously donate the prize back to Transplant Sport.

A great day was had by all who attended, and the next 5 Nations Golf Competition is scheduled for 2016 in Northern Ireland. Anyone who is interested in transplant golf as a player or supporter please contact Jo Brown by e-mail: [email protected]

David Lilley, Kidney Recipient, Sheffield Team.

TS 5 Nations Golf Tournament, Newcastle

L to R Charlie Dyson, Andy McGarry and Sid Lamb, the winning England team.


TS Volleyball Tournament, ManchesterAfter attending my first TS Volleyball Tournament last year in Newcastle as team manager, I decided that with the help of some of the team, there was no reason why Manchester couldn’t organise it in 2015. And once we’d located a venue, and a hotel that could hold the Gala Dinner, we were half way there. Now we just had to get some teams and as usual the various transplant units didn’t disappoint, arriving from far and wide to play.

On the Friday night an informal get together was held in the pub for everyone who’d travelled to Manchester. Some of the Freeman team were delighted the “Boro” match was live on television and everyone felt relaxed and ready for the following day. Some of us retired to bed at a reasonable hour but the Belfast team - having not touched down at the airport until 10pm - decided that as they’d missed out on a few drinks, they needed to keep the bar in profit until the early hours.

Saturday dawned cold but bright (yes the sun does shine in Manchester sometimes) and we all headed to Wright Robinson College (or Wright Robbie as it’s known locally) for the volleyball event.

Six teams took part in what turned out to be a very enjoyable day. The loudest cheer was for Louise Mclellan when she got the ball over the net for the first time. The bravery award has to go to Alex Watson and Alan Schofield who both played

volleyball for the first time and ended up with badly bruised forearms.

The evening Gala Dinner, and prize giving, was attended by 75 guests, with Lynne Holt giving out the prizes. A disco followed where most guests made shapes on the dance floor, some of them in time to the music.

A very unhappy Dino had rushed from the volleyball to watch his beloved Manchester City lose to Liverpool. But he made the most of a bad day by auctioning off his match programme. Someone must have felt sorry for him as they paid £15.

A big thank you goes out to all the Wythenshawe team who helped on the day, and also to the players who helped out with the refereeing, not forgetting our official referee Martin Lisowski. Finally thanks to Neil Macdonald who sorted all the teams and the order of play.

Lynda Ellis, Team Manager, Wythenshawe

The results were as follows:1st Addenbrookes2nd Wythenshawe3rd Liverpool and Freeman

Host Team – Wythenshawe


TS Cycling Event, Middlesbrough

This was the first ever TS Cycling Event. It was open to all and dodging the rain didn’t stop this event from being a huge success. Over 55 cyclists including representatives from Freeman, GOSH, Leeds, Manchester Adults, Wythenshawe and the GB Transplant Cycling Team took part.

The original idea was for a cycling event where anyone would be able to participate. Having started cycling last year I was disappointed, when attending the British Transplant Games, at the lack of mixed abilities. There were lots of fast cyclists but not many at the other end of the scale and I felt we needed an event where anyone could have a go without needing to be an athlete.

There were various categories throughout the day for adults and kids taking on different distances, and participation from transplant recipients, siblings, supporters, friends, and the general public.

As is often the case, the kids were the stars. By the time their 3K started there was a downpour, but none of them were put off. They carried on regardless and were true heroes, bringing a smile to the faces of all those present.

We also had the ‘Bolam Premier Sports Donor Cycle’, which was based on the Donor Run at the British Transplant Games, where participants could go on and off a cycling track as they wished during a 45 minute period. It was a great celebration of being able to do any kind of sport activity.

The evening ended with a celebration dinner where we partied and danced the night away.

Vicky Pettersen, Lung Recipient and Freeman Team Manager

“The cycling event in Middlesbrough was the first cycling event I had entered, and the first time I had ridden a bike for about eight years. It’s important to remember we are all at different stages and you only race against your own expectations.” Mark Allen, 43, double lung transplant, almost ten years ago

“We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and evening, met some great people and have lovely memories. Even managed to come home with a bronze medal which is a first for me!” Louise Mclellan, heart transplant, 45 years old

“Thanks to my donor I can now do sports I couldn’t before and it was great to start my first ever event with FHLTA teammates.” Chris Newall, lung transplant, 30 years old

Here are some of the comments we received -


Another new event for Transplant Sport. Finally after a year of planning the morning arrived for the inaugural TS Bowls Event. The venue Bainfield Bowling Club in Edinburgh, a famous landmark in the bowling world (also only 5 minutes’ walk from Frank Clarke’s house and he was still late for registration).

The LOC plus others managed to pull in the help of bowlers from in and around Edinburgh to pair up with transplant recipients. There was lots of laughter on the green as friendships were made and stories shared of life experiences, with half the field being non transplant recipients this gave us a great platform to promote organ donation further. Malcolm Higgenbottom, ex Scotland international, said: “he was delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile event and helping to raise awareness”; since then he and others have joined the Organ Donor Register and advertised this on Facebook encouraging many others to do the same.

The day progressed well, and as the winners and runners up from each group qualified, the remaining bowlers continued playing on the outer rinks, making the most of the opportunity. In the competition the semi-finals ended up being an all Edinburgh affair. Frank Clarke & Malcolm Higgenbottom were pipped to the final by Hamish Barrie & Jim Ross. Alan Stewart & Lynn McDougall put up a hard fight to the end against Ross Young & Brian Stoddart. The final was played with good spirit and sportsmanship by all. Ross & Brian managed to edge out Hamish & Jim to get their hands on the trophy.

Once the dust settled the dinner and raffle took place, before a cheeky wee disco where “man of the match” dancer Robert Rayner was never off the floor. All in all this was a very successful

day for Transplant Sport with everybody thoroughly enjoying themselves.

We were delighted with the support we received from Bainfield Bowling Club and inspired with the positive feedback from everyone looking forward to the next tournament! We really felt we had made a difference raising some extra awareness of the benefits of organ donation.

So watch this space for the next TS Bowls Event in 2016!

Ross Young, TS Bowls Coordinator and Kidney Recipient

TS Bowls Event, Edinburgh


An interview with the one and only Lynne Holt….

All causes need a champion, and in the world of organ donation Lynne Holt is our Bob Geldof (with slightly less swearing). Not only has she managed the Freeman and GB teams at several British and World Transplant Games, she’s helped organise many British Transplant Games, and been involved with so many transplant ‘firsts’. She’s practically paved the way for transplants as we know them in the modern era. She was one of the main co-ordinators for my own lung transplant in 2011, so I’m honoured to interview her following her recent retirement from the NHS.

Hi Lynne, many of our readers will know you, but for those who don’t, can you tell us a bit about your background and involvement with organ donation?

I first became involved in transplantation 36 years ago as sister-in-charge of the Intensive Care at Papworth.

I was then appointed as the first Clinical Transplant Coordinator in the UK, and I moved to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle 29 years ago, to co-ordinate their transplant programme.

My role involved coordinating the whole transplant process from when the patient is referred for assessment, joins the waiting list, to receiving offers of organs, organising the theatre teams, retrievals and supporting the patients and their families throughout the whole transplant journey.

Coordinating a retrieval that proceeds to transplant, is always rewarding, exhilarating, emotional, exhausting and always humbling.

I am passionate about raising awareness of organ donation and discussing one’s wishes with our families. I have always believed that we can all, in our own individual ways, commit to making a difference.

In your experience, what are the main benefits for transplant patients of getting involved in sports?

The benefits are evidenced by studies across the world, comparing patients who don’t exercise versus those who do. In spite of this, only 10% of transplant recipients take up regular sport.

The studies have demonstrated that sport and exercise can prolong organ function by an average of 16 months. If more emphasis was placed on encouraging sport and exercise


Where do you display your medals?The guys at Runnerswall have been intouch to share with us a bespoke medal hanger they made for one of our lung recipients.

They can do generic medal hangers, or something bespoke to you.

The medal hanger can be the perfect way for you to display your medals won at the British Transplant Games from all of your sports. Display up to 24 of your ribbon medals on this great all-purpose display.

All orders will generate a donation to Transplant Sport. Please mention us when you order.

www.runnerswall.co.uk

the benefits to the health care system would include less clinic time and lower costs for drugs, and support services - which are already overstretched.

Do you think the message about organ donation is getting through to the wider public? What more would you like to see being done?

The English Government needs to start putting MORE money in for public education, as Scotland and Wales are doing.

The British Transplant Games are a fantastic experience. How do you think we can get more transplant recipients involved in sport?

We need to market the Games in all transplant units and identify an in-house Games champion who will promote the benefits of the Games to the clinical team, including clinic staff, physiotherapists and the patients when attending follow up clinics.

You were awarded the Peter Griffin award at the Transplant Games in Newcastle and Gateshead - what did this mean to you?

It was a great honour to be awarded this prestigious trophy in the city where I have devoted 29 years of my life to transplantation.

I remember one shocking statistic you mentioned in your acceptance speech for the award about

the number of families who overrule decisions to donate. Having been on the receiving end of such a decision myself, I know the disappointment involved, and I’m aware from my experience that this is not something known by the wider public. Obviously it’s a difficult time for any families placed in that position, but what can those in the transplant community do to counter this level of potential wasted opportunities?

Educate, educate, and educate the public on the importance of discussing their wishes with their families now! The majority of the 42% who say NO were unaware of their loved one’s wishes.

What do you think the future holds for transplantation?

The number of transplants will not increase without more resources being invested for donor and recipient intensive care beds, clinical, technical and nursing staff in the intensive care units, operating theatres and wards.

Thank you Lynne, and I’m sure everyone in the transplant community would like to thank you for all you’ve done, not only in helping individual patients through their journeys but also continuing to raise awareness of the need for organ donation.

Interview by Paul Ashberry, Lung Recipient, Wythenshawe Team

AN INVITATION TO THE SWISS ALPS ‘Friends of TACKERS’ week

& SNOW BOOT CAMP

A unique transplant event & celebration of life

Anzère, Switzerland 23-30 January 2016 Following the success of ‘TACKERS Friends’ week during TACKERS 2015, we are extending an invitation, once again, to anyone who has had a transplant or who works in a transplant unit, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, play specialists and to your friends and families of any age to come and learn to ski or snowboard or to snowshoe, relax in the Anzère Spa and Wellness and simply enjoy the alpine scenery during TACKERS week.

NEW TACKERS SNOW BOOT-CAMP 12-19 March 2016 For those who already ski or snowboard and would like to improve their technique or who cannot make ‘TACKERS Friends’ week during the January TACKERS camp, why not join our Snow Boot-Camp? Group ski and snowboard lessons for all ability levels will be available and race training will also be organized. With the ski pass discount of more than 50% off and considerable discounts off of everything for the ‘Friends of TACKERS’ for this special week, this is an offer that you cannot miss. The week will end with a snow party and race for all

THE JANET COLEMAN CLASSIC For more details please consult our website www.tackers.org


Watch out Liverpool...

This year the Games will be held in Liverpool from 28 - 31 July 2016. The Games were officially launched at an event at Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre in November 2015 by Cllr Wendy Simon, Assistant Mayor of Liverpool and Chairman of Local Organising Committee. “The 2016 Games are going to be an amazing experience. I know we will live up to expectations. Liverpool is a city where sport is at the heart of our community.”

If the launch event is anything to go on the Games will be another resounding success and Liverpool will welcome the “greatest ever” British Transplant Games to the city this summer.

The Games Flame was lit at the ECHO Arena which saw hundreds of donor families and transplant patients come together. Holly Shaw who is waiting for her second kidney transplant after the first one failed, lit the Transplant Games Flame supported by other patients, medical experts and sponsors. She said:

“Events like this keep me going. I’m currently waiting for a second organ transplant. I had a transplant in 2008 and that gave me a fantastic seven years free from dialysis. But now I’m back to square one and I need another kidney transplant. I’ve done a few previous transplant games before. I go more for the social side of the games, the camaraderie, the friendship and the common bond that we all share. The social side of things is great - the opportunity for people who have had transplants to meet each other.”

We are looking forward to another great Games and registration for the event will be open from February 2016 on www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk

...the Westfield Health British Transplant Games are coming!

Why not attend the European Transplant Sport Championships ?

Vantaa, Finland, 10 -17 July

This year both the 9th European Transplant and Dialysis Sport Championships 2016 and the 16th European Heart and Lung Transplant Championships are being held at the same time in the same place. It is all taking place in Finland and promises to be a great event. It is open to ALL types of organ transplant.

The event website is www.vantaa2016.fi/en

Participants need to be fit and in training for their chosen sports.

To register your interest in attending please email the office on [email protected]


Our Members’ Fundraising...Once again a number of people have taken on fundraising endeavours in the last year in aid of Transplant Sport. Here is a brief selection of some of the wonderful achievements that help us to continue our work, and inspire others to get involved in spreading awareness:

Carole Muir ran 10K in Glasgow in May 2015, and raised over £820 for TS. Carole had a liver transplant nearly 20 years ago. She ran with her daughter and two of her sisters, one of whom, Nancy, donated her kidney.

Jackie French raised £550 from a tombola all from teddy bears. Jackie spent months collecting teddy bears and then had a tombola in Winchester at the annual HAT Fair and had a very busy day finding all the teddy bears new homes!

Nigel Hale-Hunter completed a ‘grand commute’ cycling through France and back again to promote Transplant Sport and organ donation. His destination was Biarritz where he was due to start work

supporting a cycling tour in the Basque Country, although after a commute like that to get there he’d have been forgiven for taking it easy on the day job. Inspired by a friend who’d had a kidney transplant he decided to forego the usual plane ride he would have taken to get there and used social media along the way to document his commute and raise awareness.

Donna Zurek took a novel approach to fundraising by holding a ‘guess the weight of the cake.’ The twist was the cake was in the shape of a kidney, inspired

by her daughter, Saskia-Jade, who had a kidney transplant 3 years ago.

Brenda and Wendy Roberts kept themselves busy in the winter months making Christmas crafts, which they sold at a local Christmas Fayre. They raised £300.

Fraser Stewart raised £1786 by swimming the Channel with his colleagues from Moody’s Analytics. Nicknamed the Channel Sardines this was an amazing feat!

Su Tarling - who has had 2 liver transplants - organised the Village Show in her local village of Newton on the 12th September and raised £500.


Many of our members continue to do amazing things in their spare time, both sport-related and otherwise. We haven’t got room to document everyone’s achievements but here’s a selection:

Tony Scott (liver recipient) was awarded an MBE.

Malcolm Souza-Lewis (kidney recipient) was named West Norfolk Senior Sportsperson of the Year.

Sue Burton (donor mum, second from the left) made the final of Lorraine Kelly’s Woman of the Year.

Louise McLellan (heart transplant in October 2013) ran the Great North Run.

In June a group of 13 Heart and Lung transplant recipients climbed four mountains in Ecuador to set a new record for the highest mountain climb by a group of heart and lung recipients.

David Mushet (liver recipient) was named ‘UK Parkrunner of the week’ after completing 33 Parkruns and he is also one of the army of volunteers who help make sure parkrun continues to be such a fantastic national free event. David had his transplant 2 years ago and used Parkrun as part of his recovery.

And we have creative and talented members too - 2 of our members have written and published books about their transplant experiences. Both are available on Amazon Kindle:

Peter Frazier (kidney transplant in 1978) - Almost an Athlete: The Incredible Achievements of a British Transplant Runner

Paul Ashberry (double lung transplant in 2011) – Always Be Breathing.

The Freeman Heart and Lung Team have produced a book of personal stories from the heart and lung patients and professionals. It is available at £5 per book, and is a non-profit making book. To order email [email protected]

Many of our fundraisers double their donation by “Match funding”. This is when their employer matches the total amount they have raised – why not see if your employer does it? For more details contact [email protected]. As well as our individual fundraisers and awareness raising achievements we continued to receive fantastic corporate donations from Bristol Property Agents Association, Sovereign and Linc Medical - thank you for your ongoing support.

Our Members’ Achievements...


Our TS Family Weekend keeps on getting better...

The annual TS Family Weekend was held this year at the fantastic PGL activity centre at Caythorpe Court near Grantham. 33 of us arrived on Friday evening to meet up with old friend and friends-to-be.

The weekend started with building racing cars made of cardboard that we could get inside or wear like a costume and race in them around a track as the sun set.

We were staying in 2 houses close together with children in rooms with bunk beds and adults in single or twin rooms.

Over the next two days we split in to three teams for some amazing activities including kayaking, high wires, aeroball, archery, the challenge course and the vertical challenge.

Kayaking was the highlight for many of us. A few of us found it difficult at first but the instructors were brilliant and very sensitive in responding to those of us with anxieties. As a result everyone took part in the activity, developed basic kayaking abilities and had an amazing time.

The water was cold but that didn’t stop us from ending up in it. And once you’re wet, why bother with the kayak!

High ropes were frighteningly high and some of us decided wisely to give it a miss while others overcame fears and were absolutely amazing! You know who you are.

Aeroball was new to most of us. There were four trampolines surrounded by netting and basketball hoops and you jumped while throwing the ball and trying to get it in your neighbour’s hoop. Or something like that! You’ll have to come next year to see how it works.

Saturday after dinner we had a campfire down by the lake, cooked marshmallows and sang songs as the sun set and the smoke swirled. Bliss!

One of us hurt an ankle that evening and missed out on Sunday activities that involved standing so instead with a friend got to demonstrate to the rest of us the GIANT swing. It must have been … oh …nearly a mile high … and took some bravery to have a go.

Later on Sunday it was time to go home. We were happy but tired.

Most of us had done things we didn’t think we could do - make new friends, and are looking forward to taking part in future Transplant Sport activities.

I enjoyed doing all the activities especially the vertical challenge. Greg, age 12

Best bit was kayaking. Worst bit was the high ropes. Nathan, age 12

Best bit was the giant swing. Emma, age 14

He thoroughly enjoyed himself and achieved things over and above what he thought he could. Parent

Best bit was activities. Worst bit was sleeping. Raphael, age 14


I am Transplant Sport’s Kids and Teens Coordinator and my name is Malcolm Matthews. I work part time funded by BBC Children In Need.

I’ve been working with Team Managers and family members to organise local and regional events. Some of last years events included - mountain-boarding in Surrey, swimming at London Aquatics (the London Olympics pool) and trampolining in Manchester.

Events are for transplant children and young people, with their families and also for the children/siblings of transplant reciepients. Activities may incur a small charge, but are normally free for children. Parents usually need to pay if they take part in the activity, although Transplant Sport may be able to help subsidise when that is necessary, in order to give all children a chance to benefit from our work.

In 2016 there will be more local and regional events, the TS Family Weekend and a residential weekend for young people.

At the British Transplant Games and TS Family Weekend, I introduced an evaluation booklet - called the “What I Think Book” - to collect feedback from children and young people and to get some information on what difference the Games made for them. You can read about the results over the next few pages. I am also working with volunteers to create written material for children and young people that supports children with transplants and promotes activity and health.

Do get in touch with me with your ideas for events and publications or if you might be able to help. You can find out what’s happening in the TSKids Newsletter. Or you can go to the

Transplant Sport website, click on Who We Are, and select TS Kids and look for the events panel. Follow me on Twitter @TS_KidsTeens. And you could join the Transplant Sport Kids & Teens Group on Facebook. It’s for young people, parents and professionals in the UK who are interested in activities for children and young people with transplants, their siblings and children of parents who have a transplant. Topics include activities and written material for children and young people that promotes activity and health.

I can be emailed at [email protected]

I look forward to meeting many more of you in 2016.

Best wishes

Hello from Malcolm...


Our budding TS Young Journalists...This year at the British Transplant Games we ran activities called TS Young Reporter and TS My Story. These activities involved children and young people writing and drawing about an activity at the Games or about themselves and their life. Some young people also took photos.

Various A3 and A4 templates were prepared in advance of the activities. Thank you to Lesley-Anne Pace and her daughter, Phoebe for helping trial and prepare the templates. You may have seen the table and display were in the entrance hall at the Gateshead International Centre on Thursday and Friday, at Swimming on Saturday and in the Sports Hall on Sunday.

Involvement and interest was greatly encouraged by the donation by the Donor Family Network of an iPad mini for a prize draw. Children were entered in the draw if they submitted a report or story. The draw was held at the Children’s Gala Dinner and the winner was Becky Mayne from Coventry. Thanks to the Donor Family Network for their help.

Quotes and photos of TS Young Reporter and TS My Story sheets were displayed at the Games and some were uploaded to Twitter after the Games. The quotes and feedback help in promoting Transplant Sport and when planning future activities.

Did you meet Pudsey at the Games in 2015?

Pudsey was at the British Transplant Games in 2015 and had lots of fun meeting children, athletes and families! The BBC’s most famous bear was at the procession to the Games Opening Ceremony waving at all the teams as they marched by. Pudsey also appeared at an Under 5s event at the Gateshead International Stadium, at the Children’s event at the Centre for Life, at the Donor Run and the Children’s Gala. Lots of us now have photos of ourselves with Pudsey to treasure and remember the Games.

Thanks to BBC Children in Need for supporting Transplant Sport, funding our TS Kids & Teens project, promoting our work and making our day!

Many young people reported on events they’d watched:

Game: Obstacle Describe event: Exciting, bubbly atmosphere, friendly people, some people are a bit nervous What happened: I ran the race and fell over, I’m proud I fell, keep smiling and remember everyone’s a winner.Who won? Everybody is a winner, no matter what place they come.How did the team or person you supported do? Very good – they all tried their best. The best thing was … the friendly atmosphereWhy was this event good? I enjoyed it because everyone tried their hardest and I’m very proud of my team. Jaimee, age 10, kidney transplant, Bristol


Our talented TS Young Reporters…Some young people wrote about themselves, their predictions and top tips for other athletes:

Prediction: I’ll keep getting healthier and strongerTop tip: If at first you don’t succeed try try try again. Try a new sport.Ambition: I would like to be a scientist or a computer programmer. I would also like to keep going with my cycling and swimming. Nathan, age 12, bone marrow transplant, Newcastle

Strengths: I can run really fastPrediction: I am winning a gold medalTop tips: Eat lots of vegetables they make you run fastAmbition: I am going to swim at the world games Phoebe, age 5, liver transplant, Leeds

Others wrote about themselves and their family and friends:

The best thing about me is I am very kind.About my family … loving and caring.I get enjoy my life!What I like to do now, come to the transplant games.What I want to do next … love life!Thank you to my donor! Tegan, age 10, liver transplant, Leeds

I got a kidney transplant when I was 6. I was in hospital a lot.The best thing about me is I am really special. I live with my mummy and daddy. My mum gave me her kidney. What I would like to do is have fun and never get sick again. What I want to do next … enjoy my life Kieran, age 11, kidney transplant, Belfast


The best thing about me is I have a transplant.What I like to do now … go to Freeman hospital to see the doctors and nurses Shuvechhya, age 10, heart, GOSH

The best thing about me is I’m special.My family are cool and funny.Getting a liver made me feel special. William, age 13, liver transplant, Leeds

Before my transplant I got tired just walking up the street. Now I can climb mountains with my family. My transplant makes my life amazing XX Auryn, age 9, kidney transplant, Manchester

TS Family Day, Tilgate Park, SurreyThis was a day at the park with lots of activities and minimal cost of only travel and parking. Everyone enjoyed the activities even though the weather was poor for a Saturday in early September.

Those of us who arrived early played games including Head The Ball Catch The Ball before setting off on a winding walk down to the lake and to the outstanding nature centre which features over 100 different species of animals, from endangered to farmyard favourites. There we watched the baby otters and the meerkats playing and the pigs sleeping and saw loads of the other animals.

Then it was back to the main park for a picnic, obstacle run and games of tug of war. No one was surprised that the Mums and Girls beat the Dads and Boys! Then a game of Elf Wizard Giant – a variation of rock, scissors, stone but with monster impersonation and a lot of having to run away!

Then it was off to the children’s playground or outdoor gym depending on age. Finally we played some more games like Who Am I?

A fun day out and time together to make and renew friendships.


At the British Transplant Games and TS Family Weekend we introduced a feedback booklet to get the views of children and young people. We need your views to promote Transplant Sport and the Games, to feedback to funders, and to help with planning for the next year. We also collected feedback from some parents.

At the TS Family Weekend, all the children and young people said that they enjoyed the activities. All said they want to come to more TS activities.

We saw all the childrens confidence levels grow in both trying new activities and making friends. We are delighted with this, as confidence is one of the areas we believe our events can help with.

We are also delighted that the overall rating from parents was 4.75 out of 5 for the TS Family Weekend. And all of the families would recommend it to others – so a success here! The evaluation helps us tailor our events for you, so we appreciate your time in completing them.

I enjoyed the opening ceremony and parade. I enjoyed the music. I enjoyed sportshall and cup stacking and watching my team mates compete. I have enjoyed competing in my swimming events because I won one bronze and 3 golds. Elspeth, age 12, liver transplant, Kings

How I’m feeling is ecstatic. So far I have enjoyed playing table tennis and having a silver medal, also I have enjoyed playing with my friend. Kate, age 10, liver transplant, Birmingham

I enjoyed the Centre for Life where I played games and the obstacle course. I enjoyed the donor run and watching the swimming events. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know other people in the group that I didn’t know. Rachel, age 14, sibling, Kings

Our Evaluation of Activities for Children

Feedback from the Games include:

11 children and 2 adults took part in an afternoon of bouncing at ‘We Are Vertigo’ in Belfast. The indoor park is an arena with a large area of interconnected trampolines with trampoline padded walls, a Dodge ball court & Extreme Dodge ball court, 3 basketball lanes of different heights, a Stunt pit and Gladiator jousting and balance bar.

Feedback from children was:

Afterwards children completed a ‘What I Think’ survey and this was the result:

11 out of 11 felt happy11 out of 11 enjoyed the activities4 out of 11 made new friends10 out of 11 did something they didn’t think they could do11 out of 11 want to come to more TS activities7 out of 8 feel more confident8 out of 8 want to get more fit and healthy7 out of 7 think “if I have a transplant it is very important to take my medicine”

So overall we think a great event and one we will do again!

What a great time we had bouncing in Belfast...

We enjoyed .... everything, the bouncing, the big black bouncy castle, the big bouncy soft one, jumping off the high one and gladiator fighting.


Come and join us at these events in 2016...Snow Boot Camp

12 – 19 March 2016Anzere, Switzerland

See page 16

Open to everyone in the transplant community – pre/post-transplant, family, medical staff and friends. This is a great

opportunity for a winter holiday with the extended transplant family.www.tackers.org

TS Young Adults Weekend20 -22 May 2016

Blackpool

An exciting multi-activity, adventure and social weekend for 16 – 30 year olds either waiting for a transplant or post- transplant.

www.transplantsport.org.uk

TS Football WeekendDate to be confirmed

Oxford

We are planning a weekend devoted to football and fun. See the website for more detailswww.transplantsport.org.uk

TS Racquets Tournament2 April 2016 (TBC)

Cheshire Oaks

A one day event to play badminton, squash, table tennis and tennis, complete with an evening dinner and medal presentation.


TS 5 Nations Golf Tournament3 – 4 June 2016

Northern Ireland

A golf weekend open to both transplant and non-transplant recipients


European Transplant and Dialysis Sport Championships

10-17 July 2016Helsinki, Finland

Open to ALL organ transplants and dialysis.We hope to have a team to represent the UK and go over to Finland

and join in the Games and make new friends.www.vantaa2016.fi/en/

European Heart and Lung Transplant Championships

10-17 July 2016Helsinki, Finland

As above we will have a team of heart and lung recipients representing the UK going over to Finland.

www.vantaa2016.fi/en/

Westfield Health British Transplant Games

28 – 31 July 2016Liverpool

Our annual event gets bigger and better each year. Come and join in the activities. Special events open for Live Donors,

and some sports open to all www.transplantsport.org.uk

TS Bowls EventDate to be confirmed

We hope to repeat the wonderful bowls competition again in 2016 www.transplantsport.org.uk

TS Family Weekend Date and venue to be confirmed

We will be repeating our Family Weekend again in 2016. See the website for further information


TS Volleyball Event19 November 2016

Norwich

A great one-day team event to challenge other hospital teams to a day of volleyball, rounded off with a dinner and presentations.



Thanks from the TS officeAs the 2015 review comes to a close, can I thank Paul Ashberry who has helped with the editing this year, and also completed a wonderful interview with Lynne Holt. We are always keen to collect your news so please send them in to me in the TS office and I can forward to Paul.

As a reminder I am in the office to help with any queries you may have so don’t hesitate in getting in touch by telephone on - 0115 837 0878 or email on [email protected]

Jo Brown, Administrator

Are you a member of the TS 50-50 club?We launched the TS 50-50 Club at the beginning of January 2015 as a way to raise funds for TS and for our members to take part in a weekly prize draw. It is open to everyone aged over 16.

We named the club the TS 50-50 club, as 50% of the proceeds will go to the winner and 50% to TS. Depending on how many members we have in the club will affect the prize money, the more members we have the higher the prize fund, so what are you waiting for ?

Numbers are sold for £1 per week, with a minimum purchase for 13 weeks, each week there will be a draw and the winner will receive 50% of the prize money, with 50% going to TS.

What do we do with the money? – well last year Transplant Sport provided sports, social and support events and activities to more than 1000 people affected by organ transplantation and their

families across the UK. We depend on support in the form of donations, fundraising, legacies and of course the TS 50-50 club; to continue our work of demonstrating the benefits of organ donation and the need for more donors across the UK.

If you wish to join the TS 50-50 club you will need to complete a membership and direct debit form –

payments can be quarterly to annually. There is no limit of the amount of numbers you can buy. Please see the website for full terms and conditions.

Membership forms and direct debit forms are available from the TS office and www.transplantsport.org.uk

Good luck, Jo Brown Administrator

Come to the Ball!Saturday 20 August, Birmingham

Our friends at the Donor Family Network are hosting a charity ball at the Tally Ho Sports Club in Birmingham and invite TS members to come along and join in the fun. The proceeds from the ball will be split between the Donor Family Network and TS.

There will be some great auction prizes on the night – in the past we have seen holidays and diamond jewellery!! Plus live music and a chance to enjoy first class food in a great setting. Tickets will be £50 each and available through the TS office: [email protected]

www.transplantsport.org.ukTransplant Sport UK Registered Charity No. 1127314 Company No. 6769099

Documents

Transplant Sport review 2015